India vs NZ Unofficial Test scorecard. Check details

In a thrilling encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Saurabh Kumar displayed exceptional prowess with the ball, leading India ‘A’ to a resounding 113-run victory over New Zealand ‘A’ in the final unofficial ‘Test’. With this triumph, the home side secured a 1-0 series win, making it a memorable campaign for the emerging talents.

India vs NZ Unofficial Test scorecard

India ‘A’ (1st innings):

NZ ‘A’ (1st innings):

India ‘A’ (2nd innings):

NZ ‘A’ (2nd innings):

NZ ‘A’ (2nd innings) Extras: 20 (lb-5, w-1, nb-14)

Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar emerged as the star of the match, claiming an impressive nine-wicket haul. His attacking style of bowling, relentlessly targeting the stumps, troubled the New Zealand ‘A’ batters throughout the game. Notably, his outstanding performance was even more remarkable as he had to shoulder the bulk of the spin duties in the absence of the injured Rahul Chahar, a skilled leg-spinner.

The contest witnessed a brilliant display of resilience from New Zealand ‘A’ batter Joe Carter, who crafted a splendid century, scoring 111 runs off 230 balls, adorned with 12 boundaries and a six. Despite his heroic efforts, Carter eventually succumbed as the ninth wicket to fall, charging down the track only to lose his stumps to pacer Mukesh Kumar. It was a moment of recklessness from Carter, considering that his team was just an hour away from salvaging a draw.

In the absence of Chahar, Sarfaraz Khan was called upon to fill the spin void and proved his worth by picking up crucial middle-order wickets of Mark Chapman and Robert O’Donnell. Chapman fell to a mistimed shot on a long hop, while O’Donnell was trapped leg-before by a flat delivery, highlighting Khan’s ability to deliver under pressure.

Saurabh Kumar’s exceptional performance was further underscored by the fact that all five of his wickets came through leg-befores, showcasing his nagging accuracy. The batters found themselves vulnerable when stuck on the crease, and a moment of indecision proved enough to find themselves dismissed leg-before.

However, some controversy surrounded a few of the leg-before decisions, with a couple of New Zealand ‘A’ batters expressing their discontent, suggesting they might have edged the ball. Such instances highlight the delicate balance between using technology to aid umpiring decisions and respecting the on-field umpire’s judgment.

In the second innings, fast bowler Umran Malik encountered issues with overstepping, delivering ten no-balls. Despite his struggles with no-balls, Malik managed to claim the wicket of tailender Cam Fletcher, who fell into a well-set bouncer trap. Malik’s transition from white-ball success to the red-ball format was closely observed, with India ‘A’ Head Coach Shitanshu Kotak expressing confidence in his potential and emphasizing the need to develop his skills further.

Throughout the series, India ‘A’ witnessed the emergence of promising talents, with Rajat Patidar, Tilak Verma, and Mukesh Kumar making their maiden appearances. Among them, Patidar stood out with remarkable scores of 176 and an unbeaten 109. Tilak also impressed with a well-crafted 121 in the opening match, while fast bowler Mukesh shared the title of joint-highest wicket-taker, alongside Saurabh Kumar, claiming nine wickets in total.

As the curtains fell on this thrilling series, India ‘A’ celebrated their victory, cherishing the performances of their young stars. The series served as a platform to showcase the burgeoning talent and potential of these emerging players. Moreover, it underlined the importance of grooming and developing young cricketers, shaping them into formidable forces in the competitive world of international cricket.