India A, fresh off a crushing first win over New Zealand A, have pushed themselves into a formidable position at the halfway stage of the second first-class match of the tour in Vijayawada.
Responding to NZ A's modest first innings 211, India A were 204 for four before Ankit Bawne and former international wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel took over, sharing an unbroken 154-run stand to leave the hosts 360 for four at stumps on day two.
Bawne, whose first-class average is an impressive 51, will start day three on 116, having completed his 16th first-class century, and Patel is on 56.
Earlier Shreyas Iyer hit a rapid 82 off just 79 balls but bad light forced an early finish to New Zealand's relief.
The match is being played in daylight hours but with a pink ball as part of India's preparation for more cricket using the game's latest innovation.
