Now Reading: Keene’s 5/24 Rocks India A as Rahul and Sudharsan Fall to Ducks at Lincoln
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Keene’s 5/24 Rocks India A as Rahul and Sudharsan Fall to Ducks at Lincoln
The first unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A at Lincoln has opened with fireworks. New Zealand A won the toss, chose to bowl, and the seamers made it count. KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan fell for ducks, and India A slipped to 58/6 before a late counterattack.
New Zealand A Win the Toss and Strike Early
Rhys Mariu called correctly and sent India A in. It proved a smart decision. The new ball moved in the early overs, and the Indian top order struggled to find answers.
Dhruv Jurel leads India A, with the series seen as a key audition for Test spots ahead of the India vs New Zealand Test series in 2026. The match is live on Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV in India, and on Sky Sport in New Zealand.
Match Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | Lincoln |
| Captains | Rhys Mariu (NZ A), Dhruv Jurel (India A) |
| Toss | New Zealand A won, chose to field |
| Result | TBD |
| Player of the Match | TBD |
Rahul and Sudharsan Fall for Ducks
The big wicket came early. KL Rahul lasted only eight balls and was dismissed for a duck, offering an edge in the third over. It was a rough start for one of the most experienced names in the squad.
Yashasvi Jaiswal showed more resistance but still fell cheaply. He made 17 off 45 balls and was caught behind off the moving new ball.
Sai Sudharsan then followed for a 13-ball duck. India A were suddenly 44/3 and in real trouble.
Middle Order Wobbles
The slide did not stop there. Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal and Washington Sundar all departed quickly. At one stage India A were 58/6, and the innings looked close to collapse.
Simon Keene Becomes the Wrecker-in-Chief
Kiwi pacer Simon Keene was the star of the session. His seam presentation was immaculate, and he ripped through the middle order to finish with 5/24.
Those figures broke the spine of the India A batting order. For a bowler pushing for higher honors, it was a statement spell on a surface that rewarded discipline and accuracy.
Why Keene’s Spell Mattered
Keene did not rely on raw pace alone. He kept hitting the seam, forced edges and gave the batters little room to settle. Wickets in clusters turned a shaky start into a full-blown crisis.
Yash Rathod Fights Back
Just when the innings seemed gone, Yash Rathod changed the mood. He launched an aggressive counterattack against Fraser Sheat and Simon Keene, picking off boundaries and taking the pressure off the lower order.
Rathod finished as top scorer with a blistering 44 off 49 balls. It was a bright spot in an otherwise tough day for India A, and his intent stood out against the cautious approach of the top order.
Key Batting Numbers
| Batter | Runs | Balls | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 0 | 8 | Edged in the third over |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 17 | 45 | Caught behind |
| Sai Sudharsan | 0 | 13 | Dismissed for a duck |
| Yash Rathod | 44 | 49 | Top scorer |
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Simon Keene | 5/24 |
What It Means for India A
India A slumped to 44/3 and then 58/6, a collapse that raises questions about the top order’s technique against the moving ball. Selectors will be watching closely, especially with the Test series against New Zealand on the horizon.
Rathod’s counterattack offers some hope, but India A will need a strong bowling effort to stay in the contest. With the result still to be decided, the opening day has already delivered plenty of drama at Lincoln.
Stay tuned for more scores, key moments and reactions as this unofficial Test unfolds.
