Patidar's ton puts India A in command of third unofficial Test

Rajat Patidar's dream run continued at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as his 109 in the second innings against New Zealand 'A', brought India 'A' closer to a series win on Saturday at Bengaluru.

Patidar, who scored 176 at the same venue on his India 'A' debut and a scintillating 122 in the Ranji Trophy final in June, smashed 13 boundaries and two sixes in his unbeaten knock. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored 108 in the first innings of the match, missed on a second hundred by six runs as India 'A' declared at 359/7 to set the visitors a target of 416. At stumps, New Zealand 'A' were 20/1.

Gaikwad added 122 with captain Priyank Panchal (62) and then 102 with Patidar for the third wicket as India piled on runs to their first innings lead of 56. Gaikward returned as the third wicket when he was caught by Mark Chapman off off-spinner Joe Walker. 

Ranji Trophy top scorer Sarfaraz Khan (68) then added 108 with Patidar before Rachin Ravindra removed him. Ravindra, who made his Test debut for New Zealand last year, sent back Upendra Yadav and Shardul Thakur in quick succession to finish with 3-65.

Ravindra was also the first to depart when he trapped leg before by spinner Saurabh Kumar.

With an entire day left in the match, India 'A' have the chance to seal a 1-0 series win after the first two unofficial Tests ended in a draw.

Brief scores: India A 293 all out and 359/7 decl (Rajat Patidar 109, Ruturaj Gaikwad 94, Priyank Panchal 62, Sarfaraz Khan 63, Rachin Ravindra 3-65)

vs New Zealand A 237 all out and 20/1 (Saurabh Kumar 1-13, Rachin Ravindra 12) [Target 416].