India A Vs South Africa A: Dhruv Jurel Stakes Claim For Test Berth With Second Consecutive Hundred | Cricket News

Jurel’s hundred keep him in contention for South Africa Tests

Dhruv Jurel made a compelling case for his continued inclusion in the senior Test eleven, scoring his second century in as many innings against South Africa A and strengthening India A’s position on the third day of the four-day match on Saturday.

Jurel (127 not out) found an excellent partner in Harsh Dubey (84), with their sixth-wicket partnership of 184 runs guiding India A to 382 for seven declared in their second innings, giving them an overall lead of 416 runs.

At the close of play, South Africa A were 25 for no loss, needing 392 more runs to reach the target of 417. Lesego Senokwane (9) and Jordan Hermann (15) were at the crease.

Jurel was India’s wicketkeeper-batter during the home Test series against the West Indies while Rishabh Pant was recovering from a foot injury sustained in England. Pant, now sufficiently recovered, is expected to replace Jurel in the upcoming match against South Africa. However, Jurel’s twin centuries in this match have certainly given the selectors a dilemma.

Jurel had scored an unbeaten 132 in the first innings, and with his latest performance, the selectors will need to consider fitting him into the eleven either in Kolkata or Guwahati. His innings were well-composed, without offering any chances to the South African bowlers.

Jurel showcased a safe yet effective method to accumulate runs, avoiding aerial shots and scoring through well-timed cuts, drives, and flicks. He reached his fifty in 83 balls, while Dubey was slightly quicker, reaching his in 76 balls.

As their partnership flourished, South Africa may have regretted dropping Dubey before he had scored. Dubey’s expansive drive off left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds was dropped at first slip, but he batted on for 178 more minutes, blending resilience with style.

Jurel soon surpassed his 14th first-class century off 159 balls with a flicked four off pacer Tiaan van Vuuren. The sixth-wicket pair added 127 runs off 28 overs in a free-flowing middle session. Simmonds eventually exacted revenge by catching Dubey off Tshepo Moreki’s bowling, but by then, India A had a significant lead.

Skipper Pant, who scored a brisk 65 off 54 balls, had to retire hurt after being hit thrice in quick succession by Moreki. He was struck on the helmet while attempting a reverse pull, on the forearm while playing a conventional pull, and in the abdomen. Though Pant wanted to continue, coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar decided to pull him back for a check-up, considering the crucial upcoming series against South Africa.

Pant was on 17 off 22 balls when he retired hurt, with the team score at 108. He returned after Dubey’s dismissal to complete a swift fifty full of trademark shots and later kept wickets to dispel any lingering concerns.

His dismissal with an hour left in the day led to India A’s declaration. Earlier, South Africa had made some inroads, dismissing overnight batters KL Rahul (27) and Kuldeep Yadav (16).

Pacer Okuhle Cele (3/46) bowled Rahul with a delivery that moved away slightly to knock down the off-stump, and Kuldeep was caught by Temba Bavuma at mid-on off Prenelan Subrayen’s bowling.

India were 116 for five, ahead by just 140 runs, and the situation looked bleak with Pant absent. However, Jurel and Dubey lifted India out of trouble with a fluent partnership.

(With PTI Inputs)