BENGALURU: When Dhruv Jurel was handed the Test cap last year against England in Rajkot, there was no shortage of doubters. After all, he was light on red-ball experience. Coming into the team in the absence of
Rishabh Pant and on the back of the decision to switch KL Rahul back as a specialist batter, he made a lasting impression with a patient 46. He's played six more Test matches and has averaged a shade less than 48, yet with Pant back after a three-month injury lay-off, Jurel's keeping gloves will probably be put away.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!But with the kind of statements he has been making with the bat, it's hard not to look for a place for him in a playing XI.
On Day 3 of the four-day game between India 'A' and South Africa here on Saturday, Jurel came out to bat with the hosts at 108/4. KL Rahul was back in the dressing room and Pant, after taking three blows on his helmet, left-arm and abdomen, retired hurt. What followed was a repeat show of the first innings, as the 24-year-old followed up his unbeaten 132 with a classy unconquered 127 (170b; 15x4; 1x6).
He found a perfect ally in Harsh Dubey, who scored a well-crafted 116-ball 84 (12z4; 1x6), during their 184-run association for the sixth wicket. India 'A', who started the day on 78/3, declared at 382/7 in 89.2 overs, setting the visitors a target of 417.
At the BCCI Centre of Excellence, South Africa 'A' were 25 for no loss in 11 overs at stumps, needing 392 runs on the final day to avoid a 2-0 washout. India' A' won the opening fixture by three wickets.
Much like his first-innings performance, Jurel put up a near-flawless show on Saturday. The only chance the away side probably had to get his wicket was when a left-arm spinner, Kyle Simmonds' delivery, scraped the stumps when Jurel was on 49, but the bails stayed intact.
Jurel brought up his 50 in 83 deliveries, while Dubey, who was put down at slips off the first delivery he faced, consumed 76 balls. South Africa 'A' finally managed to break the partnership with the new ball as Dubey swung his bat at a Tshepo Moreki delivery, which was taken by Simmonds at first slip.
Jurel signalled his 14th first-class century, flicking Tiaan Van Vuuren through midwicket for a four.
PANT SCAREPant took three blows on a lively wicket and finally, on 17, the team thinktank asked him to head back. On the fall of Dubey's wicket, he returned, took another hit on the right arm, before switching on his T20 mode. He scored an entertaining 54-ball 65 (5x4; 4x6), before top edging Simmonds to wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen. India 'A' declared soon after. He returned to keep wickets and showed no signs of discomfort.
Brief scores: India 'A' 225 & 382/7 in 89.2 overs (KL Rahul 27, Rishabh Pant 65, Dhruv Jurel 127 n.o, Harsh Dubey 84; Okuhke Cele 3-46) vs South Africa 'A': 221 & 25 for no loss in 11 overs.
Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch HereManuja Veerappa, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, h...
Read MoreManuja Veerappa, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, has dedicated over half of her 22-year journalism career to the publication. Specializing in
cricket and hockey, she has covered major sporting events including World Cups, the Commonwealth Games, and world championships in billiards and snooker.
Known for her compelling human-interest stories, she has traveled extensively across Karnataka to spotlight untold talent and their journeys. An internationally
published sportswriter and former national-level hockey player for Karnataka, Manuja is a true-blue Bengalurean who also writes on the city’s culture and life, blending deep reporting with a passion for storytelling.
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