India A responded strongly to Australia A's imposing total on the third day of the first unofficial Test between the sides in Lucknow.
Dhruv Jurel leads India A's reply with second first-class century
The first of two unofficial Tests has been heavily marred by rain, and the story was no different at the start of day three, as further showers prevented play from beginning on time.
Read more: IND A vs AUS A, Day 3 live updates: Jurel tons up as Padikkal closes in as well
Across the first two days, Australia A had put up an imposing 532-6 in their first innings led by opener Sam Konstas (109) and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, who reached the mark in 80 balls, and was unbeaten on 123 off 87. Campbell Kellaway (88), Cooper Connolly (70) and Liam Scott (81) also scored half-centuries.
India A finished day two at 116-1, with opener Narayan Jagadeesan unbeaten on 50, batting alongside B Sai Sudharsan.
1st unofficial Test, India A vs Australia A
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Jagadeesan fell early on day three, caught behind off the bowling of Xavier Bartlett for 64. That brought the two southpaws, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan, together in the middle. The pair ground through the second session as Sai Sudharsan went past 50, but departed for 73 after attempting to reverse sweep left-arm spinner Connolly, and being trapped in front.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer then came and went for eight, also lbw, to off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli. It continued a poor start to the new first-class season for Iyer, who is looking to earn a spot in the Indian Test team for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. India wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel came out at No.6, with India 222-4 and trailing by 310 runs.
Jurel and Padikkal then combined for a partnership of contrasts. The keeper took the initiative, eventually making his way to a half-century with a sequence of 6, 6, 4 off Rocchiccioli. Padikkal got to the mark soon after, taking 117 balls in all to do so.
After tea, Jurel continued to attack while Padikkal held up his end. Towards the end of the day, he made it to a century off 114 balls, and by stumps had made it to 113 off 132 balls with four sixes. Padikkal was unbeaten on 86 off 178, and their stand was worth 181. Going into the final day, India trail by 129 runs.
Despite a solid first-class record (he averages 50.8 as of stumps on day three), this was only Jurel's second century in first-class cricket. The previous one was a score of 249 against Nagaland in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy. He has also been dismissed thrice in the nineties.
Dhruv Jurel – Highest scores in first-class cricket
| Score | For | Against | Year |
| 249 | Uttar Pradesh | Nagaland | 2022 |
| 113 (batting) | India A | Australia A | 2025 |
| 94 | India A | England Lions | 2025 |
| 93 | Rest of India | Mumbai | 2024 |
| 90 | India | England | 2024 |
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