Jurel's 99* steers India A to 291/7 against New Zealand A in Christchurch
Synopsis
Stranded on 99 not out at stumps, India A captain Dhruv Jurel scripted a remarkable one-man rescue act at Hagley Oval — pulling his side from a perilous 160/6 to a competitive 291/7 on Day 1 of the second unofficial Test. Fraser Sheat's four-wicket blitz almost derailed the innings entirely; Jurel needs just one more run when play resumes.
Key Takeaways
India A ended Day 1 of the 2nd unofficial Test at 291/7 against New Zealand A at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on 31 October 2026 .
Captain Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 99 , adding an unbroken 69-run stand with Akash Deep to stabilise the innings.
Devdutt Padikkal contributed a fluent 80 , featuring 12 boundaries , as part of a 91-run second-wicket stand with Sai Sudharsan .
India A collapsed from 137/3 to 160/6 as Fraser Sheat took 3 wickets in a devastating spell.
Sheat finished as the pick of the New Zealand A bowlers with figures of 4-50 from 19 overs .
Jurel needs just 1 run to complete a century when play resumes on Day 2.
Dhruv Jurel, captaining India A, crafted an unbeaten 99 to rescue his side from a perilous middle-order collapse and guide them to 291/7 on the opening day of the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on 31 October 2026. Jurel's resolute innings, combined with a fluent 80 from Devdutt Padikkal, ensured India A ended the day in a competitive position despite a dramatic slide through the middle order.
Early Damage and a Steady Recovery
India A's innings was rocked inside the very first over when Fraser Sheat dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for a four-ball duck, leaving the visitors in early trouble. Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan steadied the ship before lunch, constructing a 91-run partnership for the second wicket that eased nerves in the visiting camp.
Sudharsan looked composed for his 41 off 63 deliveries but fell shortly after the interval, caught by Mitchell Hay off Jarrod McKay. Yash Rathod followed quickly, edging Brett Randell to the wicketkeeper for 13, reducing India A to 131/3.
Padikkal's Half-Century and India A's Collapse
Padikkal continued to take the attack to the New Zealand A bowlers, anchoring the innings with an assured display that featured 12 boundaries. He brought up a valuable half-century before being bowled by Sheat for 80, triggering the most damaging passage of play for the tourists.
Sheat struck twice more in rapid succession — trapping Smaran Ravichandran leg-before for a duck and then dismissing Washington Sundar for 8 in the same fashion — to reduce India A from 137/3 to a precarious 160/6. It was a collapse that threatened to derail the entire innings.
Jurel's Crucial Partnerships Rebuild the Innings
With India A suddenly exposed and New Zealand A firmly in command, Jurel assumed responsibility for steadying the innings. He first combined with Manav Suthar, adding 62 runs for the seventh wicket before Suthar was dismissed for 22.
Akash Deep then emerged as a reliable tail-end partner, sharing an unbeaten 69-run stand with Jurel that frustrated the home attack through the final session. Jurel finished the day tantalisingly close to a maiden unofficial Test century, stranded on 99 not out off the last ball of the day's play.
Sheat Leads New Zealand A's Bowling Attack
Sheat was the standout performer with the ball for the hosts, claiming 4 wickets for 50 runs from 19 overs — a spell that twice punctured India A's batting lineup. Randell, McKay, and Jayden Lennox each contributed one wicket apiece to keep New Zealand A competitive despite the late-day recovery.
This is the second of the two-match unofficial Test series, and India A's final total will set the tone for the contest at Hagley Oval. Jurel will resume on Saturday morning needing just one run to complete a well-deserved century.
Brief scores: India A 291/7 in 88 overs (Dhruv Jurel 99*, Devdutt Padikkal 80; Fraser Sheat 4-50) vs New Zealand A.
Point of View
A concern that will not escape selectors watching at home. Sheat's four-wicket haul also underlines how thin the margin for error is when top-order players like Jaiswal fail early. The bigger picture: India A tours like this one are de facto auditions, and Jurel has made his case compellingly — if he converts this overnight start into three figures on Day 2.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score of India A vs New Zealand A in the 2nd unofficial Test?
India A closed Day 1 of the second unofficial Test at 291/7 in 88 overs at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on 31 October 2026. Dhruv Jurel is unbeaten on 99 and Akash Deep is at the crease.
How did Dhruv Jurel perform in the India A vs New Zealand A unofficial Test?
Jurel scored an unbeaten 99, anchoring India A's recovery from 160/6 to 291/7. He shared key partnerships of 62 runs with Manav Suthar and an unbroken 69 runs with Akash Deep, and needs just one run to complete a century on Day 2.
Who took the most wickets for New Zealand A on Day 1?
Fraser Sheat was the standout bowler for New Zealand A, finishing with figures of 4-50 from 19 overs. He removed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Smaran Ravichandran, and Washington Sundar.
How did India A's middle-order collapse unfold?
After Padikkal's dismissal for 80, India A fell from 137/3 to 160/6 in a matter of overs. Sheat trapped Smaran Ravichandran and Washington Sundar leg-before in quick succession, threatening to unravel the entire innings before Jurel steadied the ship.
What is the significance of the India A vs New Zealand A unofficial Test series?
Unofficial or 'A' Tests serve as a key selection proving ground for players on the fringes of the senior India squad. Performances in this series are closely monitored by national selectors assessing readiness for full Test cricket.
