IND A vs NZ A 2nd unoffical Test: Mukesh Kumar grabs five, Mohammed Siraj takes four but New Zealand A secure 78-run lead vs India A

Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar shared nine wickets between them, but India A could not prevent New Zealand A from taking a 78-run first-innings lead on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday.New Zealand A, who were reduced to 338/8, showed tremendous fight from the lower order to reach 424 in their first innings. The last two wickets added 86 runs, putting the hosts in a strong position.Siraj finished with figures of 4/118 from 35 overs, while Mukesh picked up five wickets for 87 runs in 29 overs. It was Mukesh's 12th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.India A, who had scored 346 in their first innings, reached 32/0 in 11 overs in their second innings at stumps.Yashasvi Jaiswal was unbeaten on 20, while Sai Sudharsan was batting on 11. India A still trail by 46 runs heading into the final day.Siraj removes Boyle, Foxcroft to lead India A fightbackIndia A made a strong start with the ball on Sunday as Siraj removed Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft in the morning session.Boyle, who had scored an unbeaten 107 on Day 2, added just three runs to his overnight score before falling for 110. Devdutt Padikkal took a brilliant diving catch to his left to give Siraj the breakthrough.Siraj then dismissed Foxcroft for 93 with an LBW decision. The New Zealand A batter had faced 226 deliveries and hit nine fours. His dismissal ended another important innings for the hosts.India A continued to make progress and reduced New Zealand A to 291/7 before lunch, with the hosts still trailing by 55 runs.New Zealand A lower order frustrates India AJust when India A looked set to wrap up the innings quickly, the New Zealand A lower order put up a strong fight.Kristian Clarke and Fraser Sheat scored 41 and 40 respectively to take their team closer to India's total. Mukesh dismissed both batters to complete his five-wicket haul.However, the final wicket proved difficult to take. Jayden Lennox and Jarrod McKay stayed at the crease for a long time, adding 55 runs for the last wicket.Their resistance took New Zealand A past India's total and eventually to 424. Lennox remained unbeaten on 24, while McKay made 22. The partnership frustrated the Indian bowlers and helped the hosts take a valuable 78-run lead.Jaiswal, Sudharsan negotiate tricky final spellIndia A's openers showed patience in the final session to ensure there were no setbacks before stumps.Jaiswal and Sudharsan negotiated 11 overs to take the score to 32 without losing a wicket. Jaiswal was batting on 20, while Sudharsan remained unbeaten on 11.Jaiswal also survived a close call in the final over when Brett Randell produced an excellent delivery that moved away after pitching. The New Zealand A players appealed confidently for a caught-behind dismissal, but the umpire turned it down.Brief scores- India A: 346 and 32/0 in 11 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 20*, Sai Sudharsan 11*)- New Zealand A: 424 (Matthew Boyle 110, Dean Foxcroft 93, Mukesh Kumar 5/87, Mohammed Siraj 4/118)India A trail by 46 runs.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.