Devdutt Padikkal struck a sensational 199 to help India A turn the match on its head against New Zealand A in Lincon. The left-hander added 215 runs with Sai Sudharsan and shared a 142-run stand with Yash Rathod to put India A in a dominant position.Devdutt Padikkal turns the match on its head at Lincon. (AP Photo) Devdutt Padikkal cooked up a storm in windy Lincon on Monday, October 26, striking a sensational 199 to put India A in a dominant position on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A.Padikkal, batting from an overnight score of 56 not out, continued his impressive innings and reached 199.
He was dismissed just 1 run short of a double century, 10 minutes before Tea, edging fast bowler Zak Gibson's delivery down the leg side. Padikkal looked extremely unhappy with the decision and argued with the umpire before eventually walking away.
He gestured to indicate that there had been miles between his bat and the ball. Padikkal reacts after being dismissed. (Screengrab: SonySports) The left-hander scored 199 off 248 deliveries at a strike rate of 80.24, hitting 24 boundaries and three sixes.
His innings helped India A turn the match on its head after they had spent the majority of the first two days trailing New Zealand. India were bowled out for just 113 in their first innings before conceding 317 runs to the hosts.The visiting team needed something special in their second and final innings to fight back from that position, and Padikkal provided just that.
He looked in sensational touch, driving the ball on the up through the covers and dominating New Zealand's fast bowlers despite the windy conditions. LADIES & GENTLEMEN, MEET THE REAL STAR BOY OF INDIAN CRICKET! - India were bowled out for just 113 runs in the 1st innings. - In the 2nd innings, both openers were dismissed early. - With India at 9/2, Devdutt Padikkal walked in to bat. - He smashed a century and is now batting on 172* (226 balls). - While other players struggled, Padikkal stood tall and showed his class.
CENTURY CELEBRATION OF THE SAVIOUR OF INDIAN TEST CRICKET - DEVDUTT PADIKKAL!— Sam (@cricsam02) October 26, 2026 Padikkal was supported by Sai Sudharsan, who missed a century by just one run in the opening tour game of the series. Sudharsan was dismissed by Kristian Clarke in the 62nd over of India's second innings.
The duo added 215 runs in their partnership.After Sudharsan's dismissal, Padikkal was joined by fellow left-hander Yash Rathod, who built another strong partnership with him on Monday. The duo added 142 runs off 142 balls, extending India's lead beyond 150 runs.
The two partnerships helped India A recover from a precarious position after they lost both their openers inside the first five overs on Day 2. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were undone by some quality fast bowling.
Jaiswal was caught by surprise by a bouncer, while Rahul hit his own stumps while trying to play a ball that was trickling towards them.HOW HAS PADIKKAL'S FORM BEEN IN TEST CRICKET?Padikkal has been in excellent form in red-ball cricket. Since returning to the India set-up during the Sri Lanka Test series, he has continued to score runs consistently.
He was originally not part of India's first-team plans but got an opportunity following Sudharsan's injury in August.He impressed against spin during the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and has now shown signs that he can replicate that form in conditions conducive to fast bowling as well.- Ends