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Dhruv Jurel came through with a heroic 80 off 186 balls to assist India-A to reach 161 runs in the first innings in the 2nd unofficial Test match against Australia-A on Thursday, November 7, in Melbourne, on a day when the other batters were struggling. Jurel's knock, which spared the Indian team's blushes after they were once again rocked by a top-order failure, included six boundaries and two sixes.
Michael Neser rips apart India A top-order
The BCCI wanted both Jurel and KL Rahul to gain some playing time before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth, therefore they were recruited to the India-A team. Despite being a member of India's team throughout the Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the 23-year-old could not participate in any matches. Jurel did have a fantastic game for India against England earlier in the year, and he saved the Indian team in the Ranchi Test with a similar performance. Michael Neser would tear through the Indian top order on Thursday, so a similar performance was required.
Neser struck early in the first over, putting Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan back in the dugout on back-to-back deliveries. Scott Boland then removed Rahul, who was deployed as an opener during the tour game, for just four runs, demonstrating his failure as well. India was knocked to 11 for 4 in 3 overs, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad did not last long either.
Devdutt Padikkal and Jurel would stabilize the ship for the Indian side by joining him in the middle. Just before noon, Neser would return to dismiss Padikkal. At one stage in his innings, when India took a break at 64 for 5, Jurel was batting at 24 runs off 91 balls.
Before Tanush Kotian and the all-rounder were quickly removed by Beau Webster, leaving India reeling at 103 for 7, Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy would add 39 runs. From here, as he began to gradually lose partners at the other end, Jurel would launch an attack. Before McSweeney ended Jurel's stay, the wicketkeeper did receive some assistance from Prasidh Krishna, as the two of them added 36 runs. The Indian innings ended at 161, with Prasidh being the final man to fall.
Australia A at 53/2 before stumps
Nathan McSweeny's outing as an opener did not see good run as Mukesh Kumar sent him back to the pavilion for just 14 runs. Later, Khaleel Ahmed struck and got Cameron Bancroft who returned back after scoring 3 runs off 22 balls. At the end of stumps day 1, hosts are at 53/2.
Indian bowlers will be eyeing to get quick breakthroughs on Day 2 and restrict them under 161 or at worst not let the lead cross 20 or 30-run mark. Aussies on the other hand, need a good partnership here to strabilise their innings.
