India A has started their New Zealand tour on a good note as they have scored 340/5 at the end of the day one of the first unofficial Test of the three-match unofficial Test series against New Zealand A. While Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari and Parthiv Patel have impressed with their battings, Murali Vijay and the skipper Ajinkya Rahane returned cheaply.

After winning the toss at Bay Oval (Mount Maunganui), India A openers Prithvi Shaw and Murali Vijay provided a solid start with the 61-run partnership. Vijay was bowled out on 28 runs and then Shaw had another 50-run partnership with the no.3 batsman Mayank Agarwal.

As Shaw was dismissed on 62 off 88 balls (6 fours and only six), Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari controlled that innings with a 73-run partnership for the third wicket. Continuing his brilliant form, Agarwal scored another half-century and played a 65-run knock off 108 balls (10 fours and 2 sixes).

After the skipper Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed at quickly on just 12 runs, the senior wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel joined to the crease with Vihari and led the side to a good position till the end of the day. They had an impressive 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket before losing Vihari on the last ball of the day (the day was called off after Vihari was dismissed).

Vihari scored highest runs on the day by playing an 86-run knock off 150 balls with 8 fours. Meanwhile, Parthiv also played a great knock as he remained not out on 79 runs off 111 balls with 10 fours. At the stumps of day one of the four-day game, India A managed to score 340/5.

Among the New Zealand A bowlers, the right-arm pacer Blair Tickner (2/48) picked up two wickets while Kyle Jamieson (1/77), Doug Bracewell (1/58) and Theo van Woerkom (1/54) got one wicket each.

Brief scores: India A 340/5 (Hanuma Vihari 86, Parthiv Patel 79*, Mayank Agarwal 65, Prithvi Shaw 62, Murali Vijay 28, Ajinkya Rahane 12; Blair Tickner 2/48) vs New Zealand A.