Yashasvi Jaiswal smashes unbeaten 155 in India A draw vs NZ A

Christchurch: Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal announced a timely return to form with a fluent unbeaten century after a recent dip in touch as India A drew the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A here on Tuesday.

On the fourth and final day, Jaiswal dismantled the New Zealand A bowling attack to score an unbeaten 155 off just 162 deliveries, striking 15 boundaries and five sixes.

Rising Vidarbha left-hander Yash Rathod also registered an unbeaten 100 as India A reached 282 for 2 in their second innings before both captains agreed to conclude play. Rathod struck nine boundaries across the 122 balls he faced.

The second-innings surge followed New Zealand A posting 424 runs in response to India A's first-innings total of 346.

The pitch at Hagley Oval flattened out considerably, making conditions heavily favourable for strokeplay, as reflected by India A's brisk scoring rate of 5.35 runs per over in their second innings.

The match concluded shortly after Rathod completed his century, with the left-handed pair putting together an unbroken 247-run partnership for the third wicket.

However, the final day's action, which saw just over 44 overs bowled, belonged primarily to Jaiswal. His recent shortage of runs prior to this innings would have caused concern for head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand starting November 19.

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Jaiswal's preceding sequence of scores stood at 17, 5, and 0 prior to the second innings of the match. He had also failed to open his account in his sole Ranji Trophy appearance against Chandigarh before joining the India A squad for the New Zealand tour.

Resuming the day at 32 for no loss, Jaiswal lost opening partner Sai Sudharsan (11) early, with the batter failing to add to his overnight tally.

Devdutt Padikkal (0) experienced his first failure of the 'A' tour when he was bowled by paceman Brett Randell without opening his account.

Nevertheless, Jaiswal displayed formidable form at the opposite end and found a dependable partner in Rathod, who showed equal willingness to play stroke-filled cricket.

Jaiswal signalled his attacking intent early by pulling Randell over deep mid-wicket for six. Kristian Clarke and Jarrod McKay were also subjected to authoritative cover drives.

His innings featured crisp cover drives, cuts, and delicate dabs through the vacant region behind square.

However, Jaiswal reserved his most aggressive treatment for Dean Foxcroft's off-spin, dispatching four of his five sixes off Foxcroft's bowling.

As the Kookaburra ball softened, offering little assistance to the seamers, strokeplay through the line became straightforward on a surface with consistent bounce.

Jaiswal brought up his 17th first-class century with a slog sweep, following it up by stepping down the pitch to loft the ball straight down the ground.

Rathod, who previously scored 44 and 66 in the opening unofficial Test, reinforced his reputation as a highly regarded talent on the domestic circuit.

He reached the break on 88 not out and secured the remaining 12 runs following the restart to complete his maiden first-class century on foreign soil.

Brief Scores: India A 346 & 282/2 in 52.4 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 155 not out, Yash Rathod 100 not out) drew with New Zealand A 424.

PTI