IND A vs AUS A: Dhruv Jurel roars with splendid century to give Australia A solid retort as India A ends Day 3 strongly at 403/4

Star wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel was the star of the show for India A as his unbeaten 113 helped the team end Day 3's play at 403/4 against Australia A in the first unofficial Test. Jurel's impressive innings came off just 132 balls and included 10 fours and 4 sixes.

Jurel's century was part of a collective batting effort, with several other players also contributing half-centuries. Overnight batter N. Jagadeesan scored 64, while B. Sai Sudharsan added 73, and Devdutt Padikkal remained unbeaten with 86 runs. Unfortunately, skipper Shreyas Iyer failed to make an impact, getting out for just 8. India 'A' is now trailing by 129 runs, and with only one day left, the match appears to be heading for a draw.

The day began with India 'A' at 116 for one, with overnight batsmen N. Jagadeesan and B. Sai Sudharsan at the crease. However, they were unable to build a significant partnership. Jagadeesan, who had recently received a Test call-up for the England series, was the first to fall. He was caught by Josh Philippe off the bowling of Xavier Bartlett after scoring 64 runs from 113 balls, an innings that included seven fours and a six.

Despite the early wicket, India 'A' continued to bat smoothly as Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal built a 76-run partnership to stabilize the innings. The left-handed Sudharsan, who also made his Test debut in England, did most of the scoring before he was trapped leg before by Corey Connolly in the 59th over.

India 'A' captain Shreyas Iyer had a significant opportunity to make a statement, especially after being overlooked for the national team and with the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies set to be announced soon. Despite his strong record, particularly against spinners, Iyer was dismissed for just 8 runs in the 62nd over, caught by Western Australia spinner Corey Rocchiccioli. This left India 'A' in a difficult position.

However, wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal stepped up, taking control of the innings. The duo remained at the crease until the end of the day, forming an unbeaten 181-run partnership for the fifth wicket. By the time stumps were called, their stand had given India 'A' the upper hand, with the runs coming at a healthy rate of nearly four an over. Padikkal was batting on 86 not out off 178 balls, an innings that included eight boundaries.