Shankar-Gill unbeaten stand leaves India A well placed on rain-truncated day

Fading light and sporadic rain meant that only 69 overs were possible in Whangarei, but India A made some progress, with the help of half centuries from opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and allrounder Vijay Shankar to go to stumps on 248 for four against New Zealand A in the third unofficial Test. Shankar top-scored, remaining unbeaten on 60 off 78 balls, in the company of Shubman Gill, who was batting on a more circumspect 47. All India A batsmen surpassed double figures, but captain Karun Nair and Ankit Bawne endured failures, falling for 19 and 10 respectively.

Opting to bat, India started well, as Easwaran and R Samarth added 98 for the first wicket before the latter fell for 47 off Doug Bracewell, the pick of the New Zealand A bowlers with two for 43. That was the start of a mini-flurry of wickets in the middle session, as India plummeted to 150 for four, with Easwaran, Bawne and Nair, who was caught behind off a Lockie Ferguson bouncer, following suit.

But in the next 21.4 overs, Shankar and Gill seize the advantage back. The pair added 98 quick runs for the fifth wicket without being separated, as play was called-off early.