Wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel was a saviour for India A on day one of the second unofficial Test against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Batting first, India A got a disastrous start as they were reduced to 11/4, losing their key batters including skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran cheaply. After that, Jurel took the charge of the innings and scored fighting 80 runs, as India were bowled out for just 161 runs in the first innings.
Coming to bat first after losing the toss, India lost their first wicket in just the third ball of the very first over of the day, as Abhimanyu Easwaran registered a three-ball duck. In the next ball, Sai Sudharsan also got out after a golden duck as fast bowler Michael Neser scalped two consecutive wickets in the first over as India were reduced to 0/2. In the next over, KL Rahul also lost his wicket after scoring just four runs, with Ruturaj Gaikwad (4 off 6) also going back to the pavilion in the succeeding over.
Dhruv Jurel scores fighting 80 runs as India A posted 161 in the first innings
After the score was reduced to 11/4, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal took charge of the innings for India A as the duo added 53 runs before the fall of the fifth wicket. Padikkal got out after scoring 26 runs off 55 balls with three boundaries. Post that, Jurel took the innings further with wickets falling regularly from the other end. The right-hander got out after scoring 80 runs off 186 balls hitting six fours and two sixes.
India A were bowled out for 161 runs in the first innings, with Michael Neser shining with figures of 4/27, Apart from that, Beau Webster also put three in his bag while Scott Boland, Corey Rocchiccioli, and Nathan McSweeney scalped a wicket each. In reply to India A’s total, Australia A have scored 53/2 by the end of day one, with Marcus Harris (26* off 42) and Sam Konstas (1* off 11) still at the crease ahead of day two. For India, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed scalped a wicket each so far.
