Unofficial Test: Dhruv Jurel's twin centuries put IND-A on top
What's the story
Dhruv Jurel's second century of the match has put India A on command in the ongoing second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru. He returned unbeaten 127 off 170 balls as India A declared their second innings at 382/7. Skipper Rishabh Pant and Harsh Dubey also contributed with fifties. Chasing a mammoth 417 for victory, SA-A ended Day 3 at 25/0.
Match details
Jurel's 127* highlights Day 3 play
India A resumed Day 3 at 78/3. They were soon reduced to 116/5 before Jurel and Dubey rescued the team with an 184-run stand. Notably, team skipper Pant had initially walked back while batting at 17, giving the hosts a major scare. Nevertheless, Jurel and Dubey powered the team to 300 before Pant returned to bat. He and Jurel added 82 runs in just 54 balls before the skipper was dismissed for 65. The declaration came right after his ouster.
Jurel
Back-to-back tons for Jurel
Jurel walked back unbeaten on 127 off 170 balls (15 fours, 1 six). With his 113th run in the first innings, Jurel had surpassed 2,000 First-Class runs. He has now raced to 2,146 runs from 30 FC games at a solid average of 51-plus. Jurel now boasts five tons and 13 fifties in the format. He has now scored three tons in his last five FC outings, having made 132* in the first innings of the ongoing game.
Pant
Pant completes 5,500 runs in First-Class cricket
Pant smashed five fours and four sixes en route to his 65 off 54 balls. Playing his 75th First-Class game as per ESPNcricinfo, Pant has raced past 5,500 runs (now 5,561) at a sensational average of 46-plus. His tally includes 42 scores of 50 or more, including 13 tons. Pant's best FC score is a stunning 308. 3,427 of his runs have come in Test cricket for India at 44.50.
Dubey
1,000 FC runs for Dubey
Dubey consumed 116 balls during his 84-run stay, smashing 12 fours and a six in the process. Across 25 First-Class games, he has raced to exactly 1,000 runs at an average of around 25. This was his ninth fifty and also his best FC score. With his left-arm spin, Dubey has claimed 124 First-Class wickets at 22-plus. The left-arm spinner owns eight fifers.
Information
Steady start for SA-A
Chasing a massive target, SA-A are off to a decent start as India have failed to take any wickets so far. The visitors finished Day 3 at 25/10 with openers Jordan Hermann (15*) and Lesego Senokwane (9*) returning unbeaten.