Is Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 127 putting India A in command against South Africa A?
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Synopsis
Dhruv Jurel's remarkable innings of 127 not out has positioned India A strongly against South Africa A. His performance not only showcases his skill but also raises his profile ahead of the crucial Test match next week. As the match progresses, all eyes are on India A to see if they can secure victory.
Key Takeaways
- Dhruv Jurel scored an unbeaten 127, showcasing his potential.
- India A declared at 382 for 7, setting a high target.
- Harsh Dubey contributed significantly with 84 runs.
- South Africa A faces a challenging chase of 417 runs.
- Jurel's performance strengthens his case for selection in the upcoming Test.
Bengaluru, Nov 8 (NationPress) Dhruv Jurel achieved his fifth first-class century and second in this match, significantly bolstering his bid for a middle-order position in the upcoming first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. His unbeaten 127 once again salvaged a struggling India A innings, propelling them to 382 for 7 declared and setting South Africa A a formidable target of 417 runs to chase in just over three sessions.
At the close of play on the penultimate day, the visitors ended at 25 for no loss, with openers Lesego Senokwane and Jordan Hermann successfully navigating 11 challenging overs from Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna. Siraj was particularly menacing, persistently troubling Senokwane with his seam movement.
His fiery spell of 6-2-10-0 included three close caught-behind appeals that were rightly turned down by umpire Akshay Totare, along with a nerve-wracking leave that narrowly missed the off stump.
Jurel’s innings was a showcase of poise and control. Coming to the crease with India A reeling at 108 for 4, shortly after captain Rishabh Pant retired hurt on 17 following several blows from Tshepo Moreki, Jurel absorbed the pressure before launching a precise counter-attack.
Earlier, K.L. Rahul contributed just one run to his overnight score of 26 before being bowled by a nip-backer from Okuhle Cele.
Jurel found a reliable partner in all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who demonstrated his batting skills with a brisk 84. The pair added 184 runs for the sixth wicket, effectively turning the innings around. After being dropped at slip off his first delivery, Dubey batted confidently, using his feet adeptly to loft spinners Prenelan Subrayen and Kyle Simmonds down the ground while sweeping effectively to maintain pressure.
Meanwhile, Jurel remained disciplined, playing close to his body against Moreki’s barrage of short-pitched deliveries and exhibiting textbook control against spin—either fully forward on the drive or balanced on the back foot for the cut. On 49, he enjoyed a significant slice of luck when a defensive push against Subrayen deflected back onto the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails—a reprieve he capitalized on to reach fifty off 83 balls and subsequently his hundred with confidence.
After the second new ball was taken, South Africa A struck quickly as Dubey edged a drive to the slips. Pant returned to bat post-injury and counter-attacked with his usual flair, racing to a 65 that featured several audacious strokes before top-edging a pull off Tiaan van Vuuren to conclude the innings.
With Jurel remaining unbeaten on 127 and India A declaring at 382 for 7, the hosts are firmly in control as they head into the final day, requiring early wickets to push for victory. Conversely, South Africa A faces a daunting challenge to chase 417 runs or survive three sessions against a formidable Indian attack.
Brief scores:
India A 255 & 383/7 decl. in 89.2 overs (Dhruv Jurel 127*, Harsh Dubey 84, Rishabh Pant 65; Okuhle Cele 3-46) lead South Africa A 221 & 25 for no loss in 11 overs (Jordan Hermann 15*) by 391 runs.
Point of View
It's evident that Dhruv Jurel's performance is a testament to his skill and determination. His contributions have been pivotal for India A, and with the upcoming Test series against South Africa, his form could be critical for the team's success. It’s crucial that we support and celebrate such talent in our cricketing landscape.
NationPress
08/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Dhruv Jurel's score in the match against South Africa A?
Dhruv Jurel scored an unbeaten 127 runs in the match against South Africa A.
How many centuries has Dhruv Jurel scored in first-class cricket?
Dhruv Jurel has scored five first-class centuries.
What was the target set for South Africa A?
India A set a target of 417 runs for South Africa A.
Who was the standout player alongside Jurel?
Harsh Dubey was another standout player, scoring 84 runs in the innings.
How did India A perform in the match overall?
India A declared at 382 for 7, leading South Africa A by 391 runs.
