George Worker

Skipper Abhinav Mukund smashed an unbeaten ton in the second innings as the second unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand ended in a draw.

Leg-spinner Karn Sharma and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem took eight wickets apiece as India A cantered to an innings and 31-run victory against New Zealand A in the first unofficial 'Test' on Monday.

Glenn Phillips and Todd Astle are in line to make their ODI debut after being among the six players added to the New Zealand squad for the three-match series against India, beginning on October 22.

New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Netherlands after testing positive for COVID-19.

India A put themselves in a commanding position as New Zealand collapsed from 72 for no loss to 147 all out on day one of the first unofficial four-day Test on Saturday.

India A's top-order batsmen failed to convert their starts into big scores as New Zealand A won the second unofficial ODI by 29 runs and restored parity in the three-match series here on Friday.

Gearing up for some quality spin test, New Zealand will look to get into the groove when they lock horns with the Board President's XI in a warm-up game as a pre-cursor to their limited overs series against India.

Captain Manish Pandey led from the front with an unbeaten 111, firing India A to a series-clinching victory over New Zealand A in the second unofficial ODI of the three match series on Sunday.

The first unofficial ODI between India 'A' and New Zealand 'A' was abandoned due to unfit pitch at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Tuesday.

Opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem were the star performers for India A in their comfortable 64-run win over New Zealand A in the third unofficial 'ODI', thereby clinching the five-match series.

India 'A' consolidated their position in the second unofficial Test, amassing over 550 runs and then reducing New Zealand 'A' to 198-5 on Day 2 of the match.

Vijay Shankar and Shreyas Iyer scripted a superb chase to help India A notch up a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand A in a high-scoring unofficial ODI on Friday.

Left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls will lead New Zealand A during their tour to India later this month.

Bowlers Karn Sharma and Shardul Thakur used the long handle to good effect as India A beat New Zealand by three wickets in the final unofficial 'One Dayer' to clinch the five-match series 3-0 on Sunday.

India A's push for a result could not come through as New Zealand A escaped with a draw on the fourth and final day of the first unofficial cricket Test on Saturday.

Ambati Rayudu's knock of 105 resurrected India A as the team posted 339 in their first innings on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A.

Their middle-order batting woes lay exposed but India A did just enough to avoid a defeat and settle for a thrilling tie against New Zealand A via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the truncated second unofficial ODI cricket match on Friday.

Hardly challenged in a dominating run this season, India will once again start overwhelming favourites when they take on an inconsistent-but-gritty New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, starting on Sunday.

Karn, KL Rahul part of team that will take on New Zealand

Not many had expected New Zealand to topple India in the series-opener at the Wankhede but the visitors, playing their first match since the Champions Trophy, did it in emphatic style with a six-wicket win.

India would aim to play with the same grit and gumption they displayed in the second match in Pune when they square off against New Zealand in the ODI series-decider on Sunday.