Table of Contents
In a display of remarkable maturity and blistering power, young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel carved out a magnificent unbeaten century against South Africa A, single-handedly rescuing India A from a precarious position on the opening day of the second unofficial Test. His innings, a compelling blend of resilience and aggression, not only steadied the ship for the home side but also sent a strong message to the national selectors, reinforcing his credentials just days after being included in India’s Test squad.
Early collapse put India A in trouble
The start of the second unofficial Test was anything but ideal for India A. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, they found themselves reeling early on against a disciplined South African A attack. The top order crumbled under pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals. The scoreboard presented a grim reading at 59/4, and later, an even more alarming 126/7, leaving the team staring down the barrel of a complete collapse. It was a situation that demanded a hero, and Jurel stepped up to the plate.
Dhruv Jurel takes India A out of hot waters with stunning century
Walking in amidst the ruins, Jurel displayed nerves of steel and an attacking mindset that belied the match situation. From the moment he arrived at the crease, he seemed determined to not just survive, but to dominate. He meticulously rebuilt the innings, showing excellent temperament in picking his shots and rotating the strike, while also punishing anything loose with disdain.
Recognizing the need for stability, Jurel formed vital alliances with the lower order. His 79-run stand for the eighth wicket with Kuldeep Yadav was particularly instrumental in turning the tide, providing much-needed impetus and taking India A past the 200-run mark. By the close of play, Jurel remained unbeaten on a sensational 132 runs off 175 deliveries. It was his fourth First-Class hundred, a testament to his growing prowess in the longer format. His individual brilliance single-handedly propelled India A to a respectable total of 255 runs, a score that seemed highly improbable earlier in the day.
Also READ: BCCI unveils India A squad for ODIs against South Africa A; Tilak Varma to lead
Here’s how fans reacted:
Elsewhere, and meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel has cracked a 100 for India A in the ‘Test’ vs South Africa A.
With Rishabh Pant back as wicketkeeper in the Test team, Jurel is as good a batsman as any to bat on the middle order even if he’s not keeping wickets— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Sai Sudharsan's scores in South Africa A series: 32, 12, & 17.
Dhruv jurel Deserves place at No.3 against the proteas.🤍
— 𝐈𝐂𝐓 ᴬᵁᴿᴬ🇮🇳 (@AURAICTT)
Dhruv Jurel should be XI no matter where he plays. In my opinion he should play at no 3.
— Shubham Singhania (@SSinghania94)
Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 132 rescued India A from a tough spot at 119/6
A classy knock under pressure!— Arshit Yadav (@imArshit)
Dhruv Jurel is a future ⭐️
proper batting technique and ability to adjusthe should play as a pure batter along with pant
— Lelelele (@deep_bett)
Another savior 100 by Dhruv Jurel for India A when nobody else crossed 25, best thing about this knock is it came WITH Rishabh Pant in the XI
He surely sealed his place as a pure bat for the SA Tests
— SIVY 🇮🇳 (@Sivy_Raina3)
Dhruv Jurel hits a 132*(175) for India A giving a splendid fight to South Africa A 👏.
— naishh (@naishadhjhaveri)
Dhruv Jurel with another brilliant FC knock. But because he's good enough a keeper in addition to being a good batsman, the team management will refuse to pick him as a pure batsman & go with someone worse than him with the bat.
— MV (@mahektetweet)
Well played, Dhruv Jurel 🙌
— bet88visa.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
🔔 ICYMI: India A were reeling at 126/7 on green top in Bengaluru. Dhruv Jurel stood tall with an unbeaten 132 off 175b, while no other batter crossed 25. His knock pushed the total to 255 all out.
— Soaib Akhtar (@SSA_807)
People don’t talk about him enough but Dhruv Jurel is one of the most clutch batters in the world.
he always delivers when it matters the most. 🩷🫶
— Zephyr 🚀 (@washedluxe)
Honestly speaking Jurel is a better batter than Sai or Padikkal in pressure situations.
BCCI is limiting his ability by keeping him as a backup WK only.
Dhruv Jurel needs to be backed as a pure batter more than Sai or others. 🇮🇳
— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7)
HUNDRED BY DHRUV JUREL FOR INDIA A.
– India A were 126/7, Jurel stood tall there and smashed a fantastic century against South Africa A.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Also READ: Rishabh Pant returns as India announce 15-member squad for the Test series against South Africa
