India A started their New Zealand tour on a winning note, by defeating an NZ XI by 92 runs in the first 50-over practice match, played at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.

NZ XI skipper Daryll Mitchell won the toss and chose to bowl first. Mayank Agarwal fell for 8 runs, but Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav made brilliant half-centuries to stabilize the innings and put it on course for a good score. Gill and Yadav both made exact 50, but Gaikwad slammed 93 with 8 fours and 2 sixes.  In the end, Krunal Pandya slammed a quick-fire 41 with 2 fours and 3 sixes to end the innings on 279/8.

For NZ XI, Zak Gibson picked 4/51, while Andre Hazeldine, Theo van Woerkom and Sean Solia picked one wicket apiece.

Jakob Bhula (50) and Jack Boyle (42) added 82 runs for the first wicket, but then Indian bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and spinners came through to take wickets at regular intervals. Dane Cleaver (33) was the only other batsman to pass a 20-run mark, as New Zealand folded for 187 runs in 41.1 overs.

Khaleel Ahmed picked 4/43, Siraj (2/33) and Krunal (2/51) were the other starring bowlers with Rahul Chahar and Vijay Shankar contributing with a wicket each as well.

BRIEF SCORES:
IND A 279/8 (R GAIKWAD 93; Z GIBSON 4/51) defeated NZ XI 187 (J BHULA 50; K AHMED 4/43) by 92 runs