On Saturday, November 8, the day three of the second and final unofficial Test saw India A’s wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel score twin hundreds, to put his team in a strong position against South Africa
A. The fifth first-class hundred from Dhruv Jurel helped India A set a target of 417 runs for South Africa A to chase with just over a day remaining at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru.
Notably, Dhruv Jurel walked to the middle when India A captain Rishabh Pant had to retire hurt due to body blows sustained while batting on day three of the contest when the scoreboard read 108/4. Shortly after, nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav lost his wicket and then Harsh Dubey joined Jurel in the middle before sharing a match-defining stand of 184 runs for the sixth wicket.
Dhruv Jurel stayed unbeaten on 127 off 170 against South Africa A in Bengaluru
Jurel and Dubey matched each other stroke for stroke before both of them reached their respective fifties and the latter ended up with 84 off 166 to his name, including 12 fours and one six prior to losing his wicket to Toshepo Moreki. Following that, Rishabh Pant, who had sustained a minor injury to his hand, arrived at the crease and took the attack to the South Africa A bowlers straight away.
At the other end, Dhruv Jurel brought up his fifth first-class hundred in 159 balls with 12 fours to his name. Pant also completed yet another fifty in the series before Kyle Simmonds dismissed him for 65 off 54 with five fours and four sixes, which prompted the India A captain to declare their second innings on 382/7 in the third and final session on day three, setting up a target in excess of 400 runs for South Africa A to chase down. Also, Jurel stayed unbeaten on 127 off 150 with 15 fours and one six, giving the Indian selectors a major headache in regards to his spot in the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa with the return of incumbent Pant to the squad.
