The third unofficial Test match between India A and New Zealand A has concluded in a draw after persistent rain forced the abandonment of play on the final two days. The weather-affected contest, which saw the fourth day washed out entirely on Tuesday following a similar washout on Monday, meant that all three matches in the series finished without a definitive result.
For the Indian touring party, the match was viewed as a vital opportunity for senior players
Limited preparation for senior stars
The damp conditions severely restricted the involvement of the senior duo. Jasprit Bumrah, who had not featured in competitive cricket since the Asian Games final on October 3, managed to bowl only six overs, conceding 11 runs. The fast bowler had hoped for extended spells to find his bowling rhythm, but the weather prevented him from getting the workload he required.
Ravindra Jadeja, meanwhile, spent one hour and 20 minutes at the crease, facing 71 balls for his 25 runs. While he gained some time in the middle with the bat, he was denied the opportunity to bowl, as India A only managed to send down 14 overs throughout the entire match. The squad will now shift their focus to Wellington, where they have six training sessions scheduled to prepare for the opening Test.
Positives for the touring squad
Despite the lack of a result, the series provided several encouraging performances.
Devdutt Padikkal also made a strong impression, accumulating 199 runs during the first unofficial Test, which has bolstered his candidacy for the No. 3 batting position. Additionally, the return of Akash Deep from a lengthy injury layoff provided a boost to the team's fast-bowling depth. With the senior team set to finalize their selection, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will now weigh their options for the fourth specialist fast-bowling spot, with Akash Deep’s ability to contribute with the bat potentially influencing their decision.
