Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 102 off 138 balls, his second century in as many innings after 155 not out in the previous game, as India A closed Day 1 of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A on 227 for 2 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.
B Sai Sudharsan was unbeaten on 77 off 205 balls at stumps, and the pair added 175 runs for the opening wicket. It was a day built on patience and control, with the openers seeing off the new ball and then cashing in.
Devdutt Padikkal made 15 and Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 12 at the close. Rain cut short play with about an hour left, but India A had already put themselves in a strong position.
A 175-run opening stand
The opening partnership was the story of the day. Jaiswal and Sudharsan batted through most of the day together, adding 175 runs before the first wicket fell.
Jaiswal's century came off 138 balls, a measured innings rather than a rush of boundaries. It followed his 155 not out in the previous game, which makes it two hundreds in two innings for the opener.
Sudharsan holds firm
Sudharsan's unbeaten 77 came off 205 balls, the slower and more watchful half of the partnership. His job was to hold one end, and he did it through the day and into stumps.
Danru Ferns took one wicket for 16 runs and Jarrod McKay one for 45 for New Zealand A, but neither bowler could break the stand early enough to change the day.
Test preparation for the seniors
Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna are in the India A squad as part of their preparation for the Test series, which begins on 19 November. The match is a chance for them to get time in the middle before the senior series.
Day 2 of the match, which runs from 7 to 10 November, will be played on Sunday, 8 November. India A will look to build on their strong first day and push towards a big total.
