Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel struck a brilliant century to keep India A afloat against Australia A in the first unofficial Test at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Chasing Australia A’s imposing first Innings total of 532/6, the India A cricket team were in trouble at 222/4 - losing two wickets for nine runs and trailing by another 310 - when vice-captain Jurel joined Devdutt Padikkal at the crease.
The 24-year-old Jurel immediately went on the offensive, racing to a fifty off 54 balls - after hitting off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli for two successive sixes and a four - before bringing up his hundred in 115 deliveries.
Jurel, who plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, was particularly severe on Rocchiccioli, scoring 47 runs off 46 balls against him, including three sixes on Thursday.
Dhruv Jurel scored 140 runs in just 197 balls, at a strike rate of 71.06, with 13 fours and five sixes. It is his second first-class century in his 26th match - after his 249 against Nagaland while batting for Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy 2022-23.
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Jurel’s partnership with Padikkal lasted for 228 runs, scoring at 3.8 runs per over, before pacer Fergus O'Neill dismissed Jurel. Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed for 150.
Jurel has carried his form through the season, having impressed on India A’s tour of England earlier this year with 227 runs at an average of 75.66, including three fifties in four innings.
He was the third-highest run-getter for the Royals in IPL 2025, scoring 333 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 156.33.
The second of the two India A vs Australia A matches will also be played in Lucknow, starting on Tuesday.
