Devdutt Padikkal's red-hot batting form and Mohammed Siraj's inclusion will be the major highlights as India A face New Zealand A in the second unofficial four-day Test beginning Saturday. The match will provide an important opportunity for players to fine-tune their preparations ahead of India's upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, starting November 19. However, India's top-order concerns remain. Yashasvi Jaiswal managed scores of 17 and five, while KL Rahul struggled with zero and four and will miss the second match after joining India's ODI squad. His replacement, 21-year-old Shikhar Mohan, will be eager to impress after scoring 613 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, including a double century.
Sai Sudharsan scored 91 in the second innings, while Yash Rathod contributed 44 and 66. Captain Dhruv Jurel also struggled, whereas Washington Sundar provided some resistance with a half-century. Siraj's arrival is expected to strengthen India's pace attack as he looks to build his red-ball rhythm ahead of upcoming Test assignments. Auqib Nabi, who claimed six wickets in the opening match, and Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj will also be important players for India A.
Captain Rhys Mariu scored 76, Curtis Heaphy impressed with 44 and 90, while Dean Foxcroft contributed 51 and 42. Simon Keene was their leading bowler with six wickets, including a five-wicket haul. India A came close to winning the opening encounter but were denied the final breakthrough due to bad light and determined batting from New Zealand A. With Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy expected to return for the third unofficial Test in Lincoln, the second match offers a crucial opportunity for players to make their mark before the senior stars join the squad.
India A squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Yash Rathod, R. Smaran, Dhruv Jurel (captain and wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Shikhar Mohan, Mukesh Choudhary, Mukesh Kumar, Manav Suthar and Kumar Kushagra.
New Zealand A squad: Rhys Mariu (captain), Matt Boyle, Max Chu, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Simon Keene, Jayden Lennox, Jarrod McKay, Tim Robinson and Fraser Sheat.