Dhruv Jurel hits unbeaten century after KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant flop, India A fight back against South Africa A

Dhruv Jurel anchors India A with a superb 132*

When the top order crumbled, Dhruv Jurel stood tall. The wicketkeeper-batter produced a high-class, unbeaten 132 off 175 balls to carry India A to 255 all out on Day 1 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. Coming in with the innings wobbling at 59/4 and later 86/5, Jurel paced his knock perfectly, farming the strike, trusting his defense, and punishing loose offerings to keep the scoreboard moving. His hundred rescued India A from a dire start and turned a potential collapse into a competitive total.

KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant fall early; Jurel steadies the ship

The storyline of the morning session was the rare KL Rahul failure at this level. Rahul looked solid to 19 before nicking off, leaving India A 37/2. Soon after, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal departed in quick succession and Rishabh Pant’s brisk 24 ended against the run of play. At 86/5, South Africa A had India A on the ropes. That is precisely when Dhruv Jurel took control, first absorbing pressure, then counterpunching to shift momentum. The fall-of-wickets ledger tells the tale: 2/1, 37/2, 41/3, 59/4, 86/5—before Jurel rebuilt the innings with the tail.

Why Jurel’s hundred mattered more than the number

Run-a-ball fireworks grab headlines, but this was an old-fashioned first-class masterclass. Jurel left well outside off, waited for his scoring zones, and kept rotating strike to prevent bowlers from locking into a single plan. He also managed the lower order smartly, turning ones into twos and protecting partners when needed. On a pitch offering enough for both seam and spin, this was a century built on judgment, shot selection, and temperament—exactly what selectors value ahead of senior Test assignments.

The context: a swift turnaround after a dramatic first unofficial Test

India A’s fightback on Day 1 comes just days after a thrilling three-wicket win in the first unofficial Test, where Rishabh Pant’s 90 set up a tense chase that was sealed by an unbeaten lower-order stand. That result underlined the depth and belief in this group, and Jurel’s ton on Day 1 of the second game reinforced it. Even when the names at the top misfired, someone stepped up—a healthy sign in a developmental side mimicking the demands of Test cricket.

Big-picture stakes: auditions for the South Africa Tests

The India Test squad to face South Africa was confirmed with Pant returning and several A-team performers in contention for long-term roles. Performances in this unofficial series carry weight, and Dhruv Jurel’s hundred will not go unnoticed. For KL Rahul, the single-digit dismissal won’t define him—he struck a monumental 176 for India A only last month—but the competition for spots is intense. Every innings matters.

How South Africa A applied pressure—and how Jurel answered

South Africa A chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and their seamers struck early before the spinners tightened the screws through the middle. The dismissals of Abhimanyu Easwaran (lbw), Rahul (caught), Sudharsan (lbw), and Padikkal (caught) showed a plan that mixed full lengths with nagging lines outside the channel. Jurel broke that rhythm by sweeping the spinners, punching through point, and dragging the length back toward his strengths. Once he went past fifty, the control percentage climbed, and South Africa A were forced to defend with spread fields—letting India A creep toward 250.

Partnerships that mattered

While the scorecard will spotlight Jurel, the small, gritty stands with Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, and later Mohammed Siraj were crucial. They added just enough resistance for the innings to stretch from a below-par 180-200 to a fighting 255. In four-day cricket, those extra 40–60 runs often decide sessions—and sometimes matches.

Dhruv Jurel’s technique and temperament: what stood out

Compact setup and late decision-making: Jurel kept his head still and played the ball late, which reduced the risk against movement off the seam. His back-and-across trigger helped him cover the line before committing, a hallmark of reliable red-ball players.

Strike rotation under pressure: When wickets fell, he still sought singles early in overs, preventing bowlers from building six-ball plans. That game awareness eased pressure on partners and blunted South Africa A’s momentum.

Selective aggression: Boundaries came off overpitched seamers and anything with width. Against spin, he used the sweep and the loft sparingly but effectively—enough to disrupt the length without risking his wicket.

These are the repeatable skills that translate from A-tour cricket to the Test arena, and they explain why Dhruv Jurel is increasingly viewed as more than a back-up gloveman—he’s pushing as a genuine middle-order option who can keep wicket to a high standard.

India A’s 255: par, below par, or competitive?

On a fresh Bengaluru track with just enough grass and early nip, 255 is not a match-winning total by itself, but it is competitive—especially if India A can strike with the new ball and operate with scoreboard pressure. The total looks a lot better when you remember the position at 86/5. With Kuldeep Yadav back in the XI, and seamers like Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep available, India A have the tools to make early inroads and force South Africa A to play from behind. Day 2’s first session will be pivotal.

What KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will take from Day 1

KL Rahul: After the purple patch earlier in the season, a 19 isn’t alarming, but it’s a reminder of red-ball volatility. Rahul found timing early but couldn’t kick on. Expect him to reset his method for the second innings—leaving more around the sixth-stump line and trusting the ball to come to him rather than feeling for it.

Rishabh Pant: The intent was clear in a 24 off 20 cameo, which can be game-changing when it comes off. On tougher surfaces, though, Pant may prioritize time at the crease before counterattacking. His recent 90 in the previous unofficial Test proves the template is still there.

What this means for Dhruv Jurel’s trajectory

For Dhruv Jurel, this unbeaten century is another data point in a growing sample that says he thrives under pressure. It’s the kind of innings selectors remember because of the match situation as much as the number next to his name. With India’s Test calendar packed and squad rotation a reality, a reliable wicketkeeper-batter who can play the long game is pure gold. If he can add a tidy, energetic performance behind the stumps and chip in with runs in the second dig, he will strengthen his case even further.

Key match facts at a glance

• Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru
• Toss: South Africa A opted to bowl first
• India A 1st innings: 255 all out (77.1 overs)
• Top scorer: Dhruv Jurel 132* (175) with 12 fours and 4 sixes
• Notable dismissals: KL Rahul 19, Rishabh Pant 24; India A were 86/5 before Jurel’s recovery act
• Series situation: India A lead 1–0 after a three-wicket win in the first unofficial Test, powered by Pant’s 90

Who is Dhruv Jurel and why is he in the spotlight today?

Dhruv Jurel is a rising India batter-keeper with a calm red-ball method and sharp glovework. His unbeaten 132 rescued India A from 86/5 to a competitive 255 in the second unofficial Test against South Africa A, underlining his readiness for higher honors.

Did KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant play this match?

Yes. Both featured for India A. Rahul made 19 before falling at 37/2, while Pant struck a quick 24. Their early exits set the stage for Jurel’s rescue act.

What happened in the previous unofficial Test?

India A won a thriller by three wickets, with Rishabh Pant’s 90 providing the platform and the lower order finishing the job. That victory put India A 1–0 up in the two-match series.

Final word

On a day when big names blinked, Dhruv Jurel blinked last. His hundred didn’t just fix a scorecard; it flipped the mood of the match. If India A’s bowlers cash in early on Day 2, Jurel’s 132* could become the knock that shaped the series narrative—and the one that nudges him closer to a long-term Test role.

Also Read: Vicky Kaushal to Quit Non-Veg & Alcohol for Mahavatar Role Prep