Unbeaten Jurel guides India A to 403/4

Wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 113 underlined a commanding batting display as India A reached 403 for four against Australia A on the third day of the unofficial Test at Ekana Stadium here Thursday.

Jurel’s 132-ball knock, featuring 10 fours and four sixes, was complemented by valuable contributions from N Jagadeesan (64), B Sai Sudharsan (73), and an unbeaten 86 from Devdutt Padikkal. Skipper Shreyas Iyer, however, struggled for form, scoring just eight.

Australia A had earlier posted a massive 532 for six declared, powered by Sam Konstas’ brisk 109 and Josh Philippe’s unbeaten 123. Resuming at 116 for one, India A initially lost momentum as Jagadeesan and Sudharsan could not build a big partnership. Jagadeesan fell to Xavier Bartlett, and Sudharsan was trapped leg-before by Connolly.

Iyer’s brief stay at the crease ended in the 62nd over, leaving India A under pressure. But Jurel and Padikkal then forged a brilliant unbroken 181-run partnership for the fifth wicket, steadily taking control of the innings and scoring at nearly four runs per over. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 86 off 178 balls with eight fours.

The match is now heading for a likely draw, with India A still trailing by 129 runs. The two sides will meet again from September 23-26 in the second four-day unofficial Test in Lucknow before moving to Kanpur for a three-match one-day series.

Brief scores: Australia A: 532/6 decl

India A: 403/4 (N Jagadeesan 64, B Sai Sudharsan 73, Devdutt Padikkal 86, Dhruv Jurel 113*, Liam Scott 1/31)