It was a tough day for India-A as Dhruv Jurel became the sole shining star, putting up a dogged effort with a resilient 80 off 186 balls in the first innings of the second unofficial Test against Australia-A in Melbourne on November 7. Having pushed India-A to a total of 161, Jurel’s knock included 6 boundaries and 2 sixes that helped save the side from further embarrassment after it collapsed yet again in the top order.
Dhruv Jurel’s Incredible Knock Saves India-A
The 23-year-old, along with KL Rahul, had been added to the India-A list to get match practice before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Perth, Jurel had been included in India’s Test squads for the Bangladesh and New Zealand series early this year, but he hadn’t taken to the field in an actual match yet. His gritty innings on Thursday was reminiscent of his heroic rescue act for India in the Ranchi Test against England, where he had rescued his side as well.
India-A’s Top Order Collapse
India-A’s batting folded early, with Michael Neser capitalizing on the conditions to dismiss Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan in the first over. Rahul, who was opening the innings, fell cheaply for just 4 runs off Scott Boland. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was the other to fall soon, but not before leaving India reeling at 11 for 4 within the first three overs. Jurel joined Devdutt Padikkal thereafter, and both rebuilt the innings. In the last over of the first session, Neser returned to send Padikkal, leaving India at 64 for 5.
Dhruv Jurel & Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Crucial Partnership
A 39-run partnership between Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy came to an end when Beau Webster sent Reddy and Tanush Kotian back in consecutive overs, pegged India back at 103 for 7. When India’s tail started to fray Jurel came out all guns blazing but with minimal support he kept fighting. He found some sort of resistance from Prasidh Krishna, whom he added 36 runs to before Jurel fell to McSweeney. Krishna was the last man to bat as India’s innings ended at 161. There was much work still to be done in the second innings.
