Dhruv Jurel Creates History, Becomes Only Second India A Batter To Achieve Rare Feat | Cricket News

Dhruv Jurel scored a record-equalling hundred against India A (Picture credit: PTI)

Star wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel on Saturday, November 8, became the second Indian cricketer to score twin centuries for India A, emulating Naman Ojha’s feat. Jurel made a strong case for his continued presence in the senior Test XI with his second century in as many innings against South Africa A.

By scoring hundreds in both innings of an A Test, Jurel matched a feat last achieved by Ojha, who struck 219* and 101* against Australia A in Brisbane back in July 2014.

Jurel, who had already notched a hundred in the opening four-day match of the series, continued his outstanding run of form.

Coming in after captain Rishabh Pant retired hurt in the morning session, Jurel crafted his innings with patience before reaching his hundred off 159 deliveries. He remained unbeaten on 127 when India A declared on the third day, extending their lead to 416 runs.

Jurel (127*) found the ideal partner in Harsh Dubey (84) as the pair added 184 runs for the sixth wicket, steering India A to 382/7 declared in their second innings and a commanding overall lead of 416.

Jurel’s composed innings, studded with 15 boundaries and a six, once again underlined his growing maturity in red-ball cricket.

At stumps, South Africa A were 25/0, needing 392 more runs to overhaul 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 Windies while Pant was recuperating from a foot injury that he sustained in England.

Now recovered, Pant is expected to take the place of Jurel in the XI against South Africa next week, but the former had put the selectors in a quandary with twin centuries in this game.

Jurel had made an unbeaten 132 in the first innings in Bengaluru, and now, the five wise men will at least have to give thought to how to squeeze Jurel into the XI in either Kolkata or Guwahati.