New Delhi, Oct 26: Devdutt Padikkal endured a heartbreaking end to a magnificent innings during the third day of the opening unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at Lincoln's Bert Sutcliffe Oval, departing for 199 after a contentious caught-behind decision.

The Karnataka batter appeared stunned when the on-field official ruled him out following an appeal from New Zealand A pacer Zak Gibson. Padikkal remained at the crease momentarily, expressing his disagreement and indicating that the delivery had travelled down the leg side and seemed to make contact with his pads rather than his bat.

Gibson had delivered a ball down the leg side as Padikkal attempted a glance towards the boundary. The batter failed to connect cleanly, and the ball appeared to graze his pads before wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay gathered it. Although a sound was heard as the ball passed the bat, Padikkal seemed certain that he had not edged it. Despite an appeal that did not appear especially convincing, the umpire's raised finger ended his stay.

The left-hander walked away visibly disappointed, shaking his head as he headed towards the dressing room. Teammate Yash Rathod offered a reassuring tap on the shoulder, acknowledging an outstanding effort that had ended agonizingly.

WATCH: The Controversial Out Of Padikkal

Padikkal faced 248 deliveries and struck 24 boundaries along with three sixes, producing a commanding 199-run contribution when his side desperately needed one. The dismissal denied him a deserved double century by the narrowest possible margin.

India A had suffered a disastrous first innings, managing only 113 runs. Their second attempt began poorly too, as Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul departed cheaply, leaving the side struggling at 10 for two.

With the innings threatening to unravel again, Padikkal took responsibility and led the recovery, keeping India A in the contest with a determined display before his controversial exit brought the remarkable knock to a close.

Story first published: Monday, October 26, 2026, 10:49 [IST]

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