New Zealand A coach Shane Bond conceded India A were too good for his side in the opening First-Class match in Vijayawada, after the hosts completed a comfortable victory by an innings and 31 runs.
The New Zealand side had resumed day three at 64-2, still facing a deficit of 109 runs, after India posted 320 in response to the visitor’s first effort of 147.
In similar fashion to day one, the pressure applied by India’s spin duo of Karn Sharma and Shahbaz Naveem saw wickets fall in clumps.
No major partnerships were forthcoming for NZ A, who were eventually dismissed shortly after lunch. Both Sharma and Naveem claimed eight wicket bags for the match.
Bond acknowledged his side had come up against a stern test.
"It was a tough introduction,” said Bond.
"We came across a very disciplined and well organised Indian team who were methodical in the way went about their business and were just too good for us in their own conditions.
“We had two good opening partnerships, but lost wickets in clumps and that's something you see a lot with teams touring here. We need to have a look at our plans and see where our scoring zones are, while with the ball we just weren’t quite accurate enough to apply the same pressure they did."
Having arrived from a New Zealand winter less than a week ago, the mid 30 degree temperatures of Vijayawada proved a significant transition.
Bond said gaining experience in sub-continent conditions was a reason these tours were so important.
“Stinking hot, low and slow with a bit of turn and a bit up and down - really in terms of a test for some of these guys who hadn’t been here, it was great to expose them to those sorts of conditions.
“Despite all the training they did at home, getting first-hand experience is the only way to really understand the challenges the conditions over here pose and these guys now have have that experience."
Bond still remained positive ahead of the second First-Class match on Saturday.
“We can’t expect guys to turn around overnight and become completely different players, but we know we’re a strong team, a capable team and we go into the next game preparing and planning to win the match.
“We need to be clear on the specific things we work on over the next couple of days and take them into the match."
Following the second four day match, the team will play five 50 over matches against India, with six players to be picked in the BLACKCAPS side to play India in October.
Day Two
New Zealand A spinner Ish Sodhi's led the way with the ball on day two in Vijayawada, claiming a five wicket bag on another testing day for the tourists.
The 24-year-old claimed the wickets of five of India A's top six batsmen to finish with figures of 5-94, as the hosts were bowled out for 320 late on day two of the four-day game.
Jeet Raval and George Worker back out in the middle for the second innings in Vijayawada #NZAvIND pic.twitter.com/EEt5u1CxDP
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 24, 2017
New Zealand A reached 62-2 in reply, with George Worker (28*) and Will Young (11*) at the crease at stumps, with a deficit of 109 runs still to clear.
Earlier in the day rising Indian star Shreyas Iver scored a polished century to make up the bulk of the Indian total.
NZ A warming up for day two of their four day match. India A to resume at 71-2 #NZAvIND pic.twitter.com/mSroySZpNM
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 24, 2017
Day One
India A have bowled New Zealand A out for 147 in the first innings of their four day match in Vijayawada, but two wickets from Ish Sodhi gave the visitors a positive finish to their opening day of the tour.
In typically tough Indian conditions, India’s bowling attack took wickets in clumps to dismiss New Zealand after 63 overs.
It had started pleasingly for the tourists, with openers George Worker (33) and Jeet Raval (34) putting on 72 for the first wicket.
However, both would go in the space of four overs, while Henry Nicholls and Will Young also fell cheaply to leave New Zealand 80-4 at lunch.
A double strike straight after the break compounded the batting side’s problems, though a stubborn and unbeaten 35 from Tim Seifert saw New Zealand surpass 100.
Wickets continued to fall around Seifert though, with Karn Sharma and Shahbaz Nadeem both collecting four wicket bags and leaving New Zealand well short of a par first-innings total.
India’s response got off to a strong start, with an opening partnership of 50. However, Sodhi would make sure the hosts didn’t have it all their own way.
The talented leg-spinner got the break through in the 15th over when he dismissed opener Priyank Panchal, before trapping number three Sudip Chatterjee lbw seven overs before stumps.
Ravikumar Samarth (38*) and Karun Nair (7*) will resume for India, who trail New Zealand by 76 runs.
