India A vs New Zealand A is a three-match unofficial Test series in New Zealand. The first four-day game started on October 24, 2026, at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, with play at 3:30 AM IST. New Zealand A chose to bowl, and India A had a rough morning, slipping to 55/4 in 28 overs.
If you woke up early and saw “IND A vs NZ A” trending, that’s why. This isn’t a normal A-tour. It’s a shadow series running next to India’s senior tour of New Zealand, and several of the batters playing in Lincoln are expected to be in the Test squad next month. Here’s what’s happened so far, who’s playing, and how to watch.
Key Facts: India A Tour of New Zealand 2026
- Series: 3 unofficial Tests (four-day, first-class matches)
- 1st match: October 24–27, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
- 2nd match: October 31–November 3, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- 3rd match: November 7–10, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
- Start time: 11:00 AM local, which is 3:30 AM IST
- India A captain: Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)
- New Zealand A captain: Rhys Mariu (first two matches)
- Telecast in India: Sony Sports Network, streaming on SonyLIV
- Why it matters: India’s two-Test series in New Zealand begins November 19 in Wellington
Day 1 So Far: A Tough Morning for India A
Lincoln in late October can help seamers, and the New Zealand A bowlers used it well. KL Rahul fell for a duck in the third over, caught behind by Mitchell Hay off Fraser Sheat. Yashasvi Jaiswal looked settled for a while but went for 17 off 45 balls, caught by Matthew Boyle off Zak Gibson.
Then Simon Keene struck twice. He bowled Sai Sudharsan for a 13-ball duck and had captain Dhruv Jurel caught by Mariu for 1. At 52/4 in the 24th over, the innings needed someone to stay in, and Devdutt Padikkal did that, reaching 32 off 76 balls with five fours. According to the Cricbuzz scorecard, India A were 55/4 after 28 overs, with Yash Rathod alongside Padikkal.
The bowling figures tell you how tight it was. Keene had 2/15 from nine overs, Sheat 1/14 from eight, and Kristian Clarke gave away just five runs in five overs. The run rate was under two an over. That’s more or less what this tour is for. Indian batters don’t often face a moving ball in these conditions, and it’s better to struggle in an A game than in Wellington.
Note: this match is live, so the score will have moved on by the time you read this. Check the scorecard link above for the latest.
India A Playing XI for the 1st Unofficial Test
India named a strong eleven, with several Test regulars getting red-ball practice:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Sai Sudharsan
- Dhruv Jurel (captain, wicketkeeper)
- Yash Rathod
- Washington Sundar
- Anshul Kamboj
- Auqib Nabi
- Akash Deep
- Mukesh Choudhary
On the bench: Smaran Ravichandran, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Kumar and Kumar Kushagra.
What About Rishabh Pant?
Pant is in the BCCI’s India A squad, but only “subject to fitness.” Sportstar reports that he is still at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, recovering from a left-side strain he picked up while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup. Kumar Kushagra has replaced him for the first two matches, and a call on the third game will come later.
New Zealand A Squad
New Zealand picked a 19-man group and will rotate 13 players per match, sending the rest to the Ford Trophy, which starts October 28. The XI in Lincoln was Rhys Mariu (captain), Curtis Heaphy, Tim Robinson, Matthew Boyle, Dean Foxcroft, Mitchell Hay (wk), Simon Keene, Kristian Clarke, Fraser Sheat, Jayden Lennox and Zak Gibson. Max Chu and Jarrod McKay were left out.
Bigger names like Henry Nicholls, Ben Lister and Nick Kelly are pencilled in for the third match, so the hosts should get stronger as the series goes on.
Why This Series Matters for India’s Test Plans
India’s senior side is playing five T20Is in New Zealand right now, then three ODIs from November 4, and then two Tests starting November 19. Those Tests count for the World Test Championship, so a lot rides on them.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said red-ball match practice before a Test series is very important even for senior players, and that the A series gives fringe players a shot as well. Rahul, Jaiswal, Padikkal and Sudharsan all getting time in the middle against a swinging Kookaburra is the whole point. A bad first morning doesn’t change that. If anything, it shows why the tour exists.
There’s one catch. The ODIs start November 4, so some senior players may not stay for the full A series. Expect changes to India’s line-up before the third game.
How to Watch India A vs New Zealand A in India
Matches start at 3:30 AM IST each day, which isn’t great for anyone in India. The series is on Sony Sports Network TV channels, and you can stream it live on the SonyLIV app and website. Since play starts so early, most fans will probably just check highlights and the scorecard at breakfast. If you also follow football, our guide to El Clasico timings in IST covers another late-night watch this week.
Full Schedule
- 1st unofficial Test: Sat Oct 24 – Tue Oct 27, Lincoln, 3:30 AM IST
- 2nd unofficial Test: Sat Oct 31 – Tue Nov 3, Christchurch
- 3rd unofficial Test: Sat Nov 7 – Tue Nov 10, Lincoln
Local start times for all three are around 10:30–11:00 AM New Zealand time, which works out to about 3:00–3:30 AM IST.
FAQ
Where is the India A vs New Zealand A 1st unofficial Test being played?
At Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, near Christchurch, from October 24 to 27, 2026.
What time does IND A vs NZ A start in India?
Play starts at 11:00 AM local time, which is 3:30 AM IST.
Who is the captain of India A in New Zealand?
Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel leads India A. Rhys Mariu captains New Zealand A for the first two matches.
Is Rishabh Pant playing for India A?
Not in the first two matches. He is recovering from a left-side strain, and Kumar Kushagra has replaced him. A decision on the third match will be made later.
Where can I watch India A vs New Zealand A live?
On Sony Sports Network TV channels and the SonyLIV app and website in India.
Are these official Test matches?
No. They are unofficial Tests, meaning four-day first-class games between A teams. They don’t count in Test records or the World Test Championship.
We’ll keep an eye on how Padikkal and the lower order handle the rest of Day 1. For more sports fan stories, see what happened with the Knicks ring phishing test.