Devdutt Padikkal cracked his career-best score for India A with his century against New Zealand A. (ANI)

Devdutt Padikkal cracked his 12th First-Class century but missed out on a massive double hundred by the barest margines as he propelled India A into the lead against New Zealand A in the first unofficial Test at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Monday.

Resuming India A’s second innings at 106 for two on the third day, Padikkal breezed from his overnight score of 56 to reach three figures with a six in only 128 balls. Padikkal and No. 4 Sai Sudharsan put on 215 runs for the third wicket after India A lost openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul early for the second time in the contest on Sunday.

During the knock, Padikkal also went past 1000 runs for the India A side in First-Class cricket. The century was also his third for the team across 16 appearances.…