New Delhi: India’s wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel scored a sensational century on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test against Australia A at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Jurel completed his second First-Class century in just 115 balls. Jurel’s superb knock helped India give a strong response after Australia A declared at 532 for 6.
The home side reached 403 for four courtesy of Jurel’s 132-ball 113 not out (10x4s, 4x6s) and half-centuries from overnight batter N Jagadeesan (64), B Sai Sudharsan (73). Devdutt Padikkal also played well for his 86. Skipper Shreyas Iyer (8), though, failed to impress.
Jurel, who was part of India’s squad on the England tour, played the fifth and final Test at The Oval after Rishabh Pant withdrew from the squad with a foot injury.
At Stumps on Day 3, India A were trailing by another 129 runs as the match heads for a draw.
It was a strong response from the Indians after a rapid century from Sam Konstas (109) and Josh Philippe’s unbeaten 123 powered Australia A to 532 for six declared.
The second unofficial Test will be played at the same venue from September 23-26 before teams head to Kanpur for a three-match one-day series.
India’s strong batting show against the Aussies
The day began with India A resuming at 116 for 1. Overnight pair of Jagadeesan and Sudharsan failed to build a big partnership after the former fell for 64 off 113 balls (7 fours, 1 six). Jagadeesan, who earned a Test call-up in England last month, was caught by Philippe off Xavier Bartlett.
But Padikkal joined hands with Sudharsan to share a 76-run stand to consolidate the innings. But Cooper Connolly trapped Sudharsan LBW in the 59th over of the innings to break the partnership.
Sudharsan’s wicket brought India A skipper Iyer to the crease. The flamboyant batter had a golden opportunity to prove his detractors wrong and stake his claim for a spot in the red-ball squad for the two-Test series against West Indies early next month.
But the Maharashtra batter’s stay at the crease was a short one after Western Australia spinner Corey Rocchiccioli dismissed him for only 8 in the 62nd over.
In a spot of bother, India A were then revived by Jurel and Padikkal, who stayed unseparated until the stumps.
Jurel and Padikkal’s unbeaten 181-run stand for the fifth wicket took India A into a commanding position. The pair scored their runs at a brisk run rate of nearly four runs an over and helped their side to reduce the deficit.
Brief Scores: Australia A 1st innings: 532/6d, India A 1st innings: 403/4 in 103 overs (N Jagadeesan 64, B Sai Sudharsan 73, Devdutt Padikkal 86, Dhruv Jurel 113 not out; Liam Scott 1/31)