Manpreet Juneja hit a patient unbeaten 178 to take India ‘A’ to 408 for seven — 29 runs short of New Zealand ‘A’s first innings total — on the third day of the second ‘Test’ here on Wednesday.
The Gujarat and Delhi Daredevils batsman, who is a few days short of 23, was concentration personified as he went about his job since arriving at the crease about half-an-hour before tea break on the second day.
As Juneja (43 overnight) and V.A. Jagadeesh (40) resumed from 94 for two, the latter continued to be more cautious, but the runs kept coming.
Juneja completed his century (190b, 13x4) taking a single off Ish Sodhi, and in the following over Jagadeesh (91, 200b, 9x4) was bowled by Doug Bracewell with a fine in-swinger.
Their third wicket stand was worth 197 runs, and it came off 355 balls.
After lunch, captain Abhishek Nayar scored a quick 57 (55b, 8x4, 1x6) to add 88 runs for the fourth wicket with Juneja.
Handy contributions
Jalaj Saxena (20) and Shrikant Wagh (19) too came up with handy contributions.
For the Kiwis, Bracewell claimed three wickets and Todd Astle two, with Mark Gillepsie and Corey Anderson picking up one each.
The scores: New Zealand ‘A’ 437 vs. India ‘A’ 408 for seven in 124 overs (Manpreet Juneja 178 batting, V.A. Jagadeesh 91, Abhishek Nayar 57, Doug Bracewell three for 75).
