Dhruv Jurel scored a fighting hundred during day one (November 6) of the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A.
In the second unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru, India A were in early trouble, losing half their side for 86 runs. Jurel then led the fightback with a stunning century, reaching a century off 145 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes.
The biggest partnership of the innings – 79 runs – came for the eighth wicket between Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep resisted with an 88-ball 20 before being run out with India A on 205 for 8. Jurel was left unbeaten on 132 off 175 deliveries, finishing with three more fours and two additional sixes, as India A were bowled out for 255.
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After Jurel, the next highest scorer was captain Rishabh Pant, who made a brisk 24 off 20 balls, hitting three fours and a six before being dismissed by Tsepho Moreki.
2nd unofficial Test, India A vs South Africa A
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India’s backup Test Keeper Jurel keeps churning out runs
Last month, Jurel hit his maiden century for India – a 210-ball 125 against West Indies in Ahmedabad. That form can be traced back to the unofficial Test series against Australia A in September, where he scored 140 off 197 to help the hosts respond to Australia A’s first-innings total of 532.
Since making his Test debut against England at home last year, he has scored 430 runs at an average of 47.77 in seven outings. Primarily India’s back-up Test wicketkeeper, Jurel filled in for the injured first-choice Pant during the Test series against the West Indies.
With a fit-again Pant set to return to the XI for the first Test of the main series starting November 14, Jurel is expected to hand over the gloves. But Jurel’s current form keeps him firmly in contention as a specialist batter. No.3, where Sai Sudharsan has managed 273 runs in five Tests at 30.33 without fully cementing his spot, could be an opening India choose to explore.
