IND A vs NZ A: Padikkal's 199 turns 113 all out into 284-run lead
By Aarav DeshpandeSports Correspondent, Peepals Yuva
Representative image: Anilsharma26 / Pixabay
Devdutt Padikkal's 199 lifted India A to 488/8 and a 284-run lead over New Zealand A at stumps on day 3 of the first unofficial Test in Lincoln on October 26, 2026.
What Happened
Devdutt Padikkal made 199, one run short of a double century, as India A fought back from a first-innings collapse to take control of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln, New Zealand. At stumps on day 3, which ended on Monday morning, 26 October 2026, India time, India A were 488 for 8 in their second innings, a lead of 284 runs. They had been bowled out for 113 in their first innings, before New Zealand A replied with 317.
Key Facts
- Match: New Zealand A vs India A, first unofficial Test, Lincoln, scheduled from 24 to 27 October 2026.
- Scores at stumps on day 3: India A 113 and 488/8 (119 overs); New Zealand A 317. India A lead by 284 runs.
- Devdutt Padikkal: 199 off 248 balls, with 24 fours and three sixes, a strike rate of about 80.
- Sai Sudharsan: 91, sharing a third-wicket stand of 215 runs with Padikkal.
- Yash Rathod made 66, and Washington Sundar was unbeaten on 51 at the close, with Akash Deep not out on 0.
- Padikkal was given out caught behind on 199, a decision that drew debate; the Decision Review System is not used in unofficial Tests.
- In the first innings, KL Rahul was out hit-wicket in the fifth over, after an inside edge trickled back towards the stumps as he tried to push the ball away.
Why It Matters
India A tours are where the national selectors test players who are close to the Test team, or trying to get back into it. A team that is bowled out for 113 and then trails by more than 200 would usually be fighting to save the match. India A's second innings has instead turned the game around, and it shows that the touring batters can handle conditions in New Zealand after a poor start.
For Padikkal, the innings is a strong statement. A score of 199 away from home is the kind of performance that keeps a batter in the selectors' thoughts. Missing the double century by one run, on a decision that could not be reviewed, adds to the talking points but does not take away from the length and quality of the innings. Sai Sudharsan's 91, after a short first innings, and their 215-run partnership gave the innings its backbone.
The match also shows the gap between first and second innings for several Indian batters, including senior players like KL Rahul, who fell in an unusual way in the first innings. A lead of 284 with two wickets left gives India A's bowlers a chance to push for a win on the final day.
| New Zealand A vs India A | Score |
|---|---|
| India A, first innings | 113 |
| New Zealand A, first innings | 317 |
| India A, second innings (day 3 stumps) | 488/8 in 119 overs |
| India A lead | 284 runs |
| Top scorer | Devdutt Padikkal, 199 |
Impact
Short-term: India A can add to their lead or declare on the final day, 27 October, and then try to bowl New Zealand A out to win the match. New Zealand A will need a long batting effort to save it.
Long-term: Strong scores on A tours count when selectors pick India's Test squads. Padikkal, Sudharsan and Washington Sundar have all made a case with the bat in this match.
Who is affected: The India A players and the national selectors; New Zealand A, who held a large first-innings lead and now face pressure; and Indian fans following the next group of Test players.
Key Takeaway
After being bowled out for 113, India A have built a 284-run lead over New Zealand A, led by Devdutt Padikkal's 199.
Questions and Answers
What is the IND A vs NZ A score after day 3?
At stumps on day 3 of the first unofficial Test in Lincoln, India A were 488 for 8 in their second innings, a lead of 284. India A made 113 in their first innings and New Zealand A made 317.
How many runs did Devdutt Padikkal score?
Padikkal scored 199 off 248 balls, with 24 fours and three sixes, before he was given out caught behind one run short of a double century.
Why could Padikkal not review his dismissal?
The Decision Review System is not used in unofficial Test matches between A teams, so the on-field decision stood.
When does the match end?
The match is scheduled to end on 27 October 2026, the fourth and final day.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aarav Deshpande, Sports CorrespondentCovers Sports and more for Peepals Yuva. All stories by Aarav Deshpande
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Aarav Deshpande is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
