Yashasvi Jaiswal struck an unbeaten 155 to help India A salvage a draw against New Zealand A in the second match of theNZ A vs IND A 2026 unofficial Test series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday.
The innings also saw Yashasvi Jaiswal, who plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, complete 5000 runs in first-class cricket, reaching the landmark in 56 matches.
Jaiswal now has 5145 first-class runs at an average of 53.59 and a strike rate of 67.86. His tally includes 18 centuries and as many fifties.
The 24-year-old southpaw made 155 off 162 balls, striking 15 fours and five sixes, as India A finished their second innings at 282/2 with a lead of 204 runs before the match ended in a draw.
Resuming the final day unbeaten on 20, Jaiswal had to negotiate a tricky situation after New Zealand A secured a 78-run first-innings advantage.
India A lost Sai Sudharsan for 11 before Devdutt Padikkal departed for a first-ball duck, leaving the visitors at 35/2 and still 43 runs behind.
Jaiswal then joined forces with Yash Rathod to wrestle control of the contest away from the hosts.
The Royals opener brought up his half-century off 68 deliveries before shifting gears.
Jaiswal reached his century off 119 balls and needed only another 35 deliveries to complete his 150.
Rathod also scored an unbeaten 100 off 122 deliveries as the pair stitched together an unbroken 247-run partnership for the third wicket.
The stand took India A from 35/2 to a position where New Zealand A had no realistic route to victory.
Jaiswal's unbeaten 155 was his 18th century in first-class cricket and the 12th time he has crossed the 150-run mark in the format.
Five of those 150-plus knocks have come for India in Test cricket, including his career-best unbeaten 214 against England in Rajkot in 2024.
The 155 against New Zealand A was Jaiswal's first 150-plus score for India A, bettering his previous best of 146 against Bangladesh A in 2022.
The knock also marked a strong response after Jaiswal was trapped LBW for a four-ball duck in India A's first innings.
Earlier in the match, India A posted 346 after captain Dhruv Jurel scored 105 and Devdutt Padikkal made 80.
Jaiswal and his Royals teammate Dhruv andRavindra Jadeja are also part of India’s Test squad for the New Zealand tour.
The third and final NZ A vs IND A 2026 unofficial Test begins at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on November 7.
