India A-New Zealand A Series Ends in Draw After Two Days of Rain

The three-match unofficial Test series between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw after persistent rain washed out the fourth and final day's play in the third match on Tuesday, leaving Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja short of valuable match practice ahead of India's upcoming Test series.

The third day's play was also abandoned due to rain on Monday, ensuring that all three matches in the series ended without a result.

The final game was particularly important for India, as Bumrah and Jadeja were expected to get meaningful game time after returning from a break ahead of the two-Test series beginning November 19 in Wellington.

Bumrah managed to bowl just six overs, conceding 11 runs, before the weather intervened. The fast bowler had last played in the Asian Games final against Pakistan on October 3 and was rested during the white-ball leg of the New Zealand tour to keep him fresh for the Tests.

Jadeja, meanwhile, scored 25 off 71 deliveries during his 80-minute stay at the crease but did not get an opportunity to bowl, as India A managed just 14 overs in New Zealand A's innings.

India A had posted an imposing 464 for five, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal's second century of the series and half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar. New Zealand A were 36 for two when play was halted.

The Indian players will now travel to Wellington, hoping to make the most of six scheduled training sessions before the opening Test, weather permitting.

Jaiswal's consecutive centuries, Devdutt Padikkal's impressive 199 in the opening match and Akash Deep's return to rhythm were among India's positives. Akash Deep could also be considered as a fourth specialist pacer alongside Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.