India A produced a remarkable turnaround on Day 3 of the first four-day unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. After being bowled out for just 113 in their first innings, the visitors fought back with a massive batting effort to take control of the contest.
Devdutt Padikkal led the recovery with a magnificent 199, narrowly missing out on a double century. However, his dismissal just one run short of the landmark became a major talking point, particularly after the left-hander appeared unhappy with the umpire’s decision.
Devdutt Padikkal misses double century by one run
India A endured a difficult start to the match, with KL Rahul dismissed for a duck and Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring only 17 in the first innings. Padikkal contributed 32, but the visitors were dismissed for 113. New Zealand A responded with 317, gaining a substantial 204-run lead. India A’s second innings began poorly as Rahul fell for four and Jaiswal for five, leaving the side at 10/2. Padikkal then joined B Sai Sudharsan to stage a remarkable recovery, putting together a 215-run partnership for the third wicket.
Padikkal continued his dominant innings alongside Yash Rathod, who made 66, as the pair added 142 runs. The left-hander eventually fell for 199 off 248 deliveries, hitting 24 fours and three sixes. Zak Gibson was credited with the wicket after Padikkal was given out caught behind down the leg side. The decision left Padikkal visibly frustrated, as he appeared to indicate that the ball had not touched his bat. With no Decision Review System (DRS) available, he had to leave the field just one run short of a double century.
Fans react angrily to Padikkal’s controversial dismissal
Padikkal’s dismissal became a key talking point as he missed the chance to register a memorable double century. His innings had put India A in a commanding position after the early collapse, making the timing of his departure particularly painful.
India A continued to add runs through contributions from Auqib Nabi, who scored 38, Anshul Kamboj, who made 23, and Washington Sundar, who remained unbeaten on 51 when bad light brought an early end to Day 3. At stumps, India A were 488/8 in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 284 runs with two wickets remaining.
Also READ: Ajinkya Rahane reveals his all-time India Test XI; no place for Virat Kohli
Here’s how fans reacted:
So close to double magic, yet a monumental knock 💥
– Devdutt Padikkal shines with a brilliant 199 vs New Zealand A in the 1st Unofficial Test 🏏👏#DevduttPadikkal #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/tNqf45LtSA
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 26, 2026
Devdutt Padikkal was unhappy with the decision by the umpire ❌
– He missed the Double Hundred by just 1 run 🥹 pic.twitter.com/NELIiyyrns
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2026
🔴 UNBELIEVABLE DRAMA! Devdutt Padikkal denied a double century due to a highly controversial umpiring call!
Padikkal was agonizingly close on 199 when the bowler sent down a wide delivery.
He reached out to play it, only for the umpire to shock everyone by raising his finger… pic.twitter.com/e2kcIoSUoO— Surendra Yadav (@Surendr0032083) October 26, 2026
A heartbreaking moment for Devdutt Paddikkal 💔.
– He dismissed for 199 and missed a well deserved double hundred 😭 pic.twitter.com/zZjDfib8oo
— Kashif (@KashifNdmCric) October 26, 2026
Umpire Brad Wilson denied Devdutt Padikkal a well deserved double hundred by declaring him out caught down the leg side, that ball was nowhere near the bat. WTF.
— Vipul 🖕🏿 (@Vipul_Espeaks) October 26, 2026
🚨 DEVDUTT PADIKKAL DISMISSED FOR 199 RUNS 💔 🥹
– India A in big trouble.
– 113/10 in first Innings.
– 10/2 in second Innings.
– A scare of Innings loss on cards and then Paddikal show arrived in New Zealand.A Great news for Indian Test Cricket.#INDAvsNZA #padikkal pic.twitter.com/Nh6ol7CGU6
— Dwarakeswara_ Yadav (@KDwarakesw95198) October 26, 2026
199 Runs
248 Balls
24 Fours
3 SixesDevdutt Padikkal walks back on 199 after playing one of the finest fightback knocks for India A.
Heartbreak to miss the 200, but take a bow! 🫡🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/mru2lDp1cO
— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) October 26, 2026
🚨 SO CLOSE TO HISTORY! 😭💔
Devdutt Padikkal gets dismissed for 199 while playing for India A! One run away from a double century. 💯🔥
HEARTBREAKING! 👏#DevduttPadikkal #Cricket #TeamIndia
— DramaVerse (@DramaXVerse) October 26, 2026
Devdutt Padikkal departs for a magnificent 1️⃣9️⃣9️⃣,narrowly missing out on a double
century! pic.twitter.com/jxNOD3fsgK— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) October 26, 2026
Well played, Devdutt Padikkal! 👏👏
Missed out on a well deserved double century by just one run due to a poor umpiring decision. Heartbreaking! pic.twitter.com/dal4W0DgUi
— DigitalSanghi🚩 (@digitalsangghi) October 26, 2026
Also READ: 3 reasons why Nitish Kumar Reddy is becoming India’s most crucial multi-dimensional all-rounder