Live updates from 2nd IND A vs SA A Test.
India A take on South Africa A in the second unofficial Test in Bengaluru. Follow IND A vs SA A live updates and scores of Day 1 here.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who scored his maiden Test ton during the previous West Indies series after replacing an injured Rishabh Pant, once again gave a testament to his sheer batting skills to stake a claim in the playing XI for the upcoming IND vs SA main series from November 14. Fans witnessed another Dhruv Jurel century as he helped India A out of a sticky spot when they were reeling at 59/4 and held fort at one end to lead a fightback.
However, with Pant back and ready to take over the wicketkeeping responsibilities for the Proteas, his counterpart will most probably be sidelined but the latest Dhruv Jurel century is making it extremely difficult for the selectors to keep him out and not utilise him solely as a batter.
India A were off to the worst possible start and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored only five runs, followed the top three back by getting out before Lunch.
Then, two wicketkeeper-batters – Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant – tried to play attacking cricket and put the pressure back on South Africa A bowlers. However, Pant was dismissed in the process soon after the resumption, scoring a quickfire 24 at No.5.
He is known for his ultra-aggressive approach in such conditions, but the opponent was prepared for it and removed him before he could change the game’s momentum. India A desperately need a prudent stand and can’t afford to lose more wickets after being five down inside 26 overs.
KL Rahul looked decent during his stay at the crease, but Tiaan van Vuuren cut his innings short in the 16th over. He scored 19 runs in 40 deliveries, comprising three boundaries.
Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan followed Rahul immediately in the next over, leaving India A reeling. He scored 17 runs in 52 balls, with the help of three fours.
Both were looking decent at the crease and had just started to build, but lost before putting on anything substantial. Their dismissals have left India A in massive trouble at 41/3, with South Africa A well on top.
Easwaran opened the innings with KL Rahul, both of whom are playing their first game of the rubber, but the Bengal batter couldn’t make the most of the opportunity. He was trapped LBW by a pacy incoming delivery off Tshepo Moreki’s bowling, as his issues with inward angle came to the fore again.
Easwaran was dismissed on a 3-ball duck. He was decent in the Ranji Trophy, but has continued to underperform for India A.
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South Africa A won the toss and opted to field first in the 2nd IND A vs SA A Test.
India A: KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Harsh Dubey, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
South Africa A: Marques Ackerman (c), Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma, Connor Esterhuizen(wk), Tiaan Van Vuuren, Prenelan Subrayen, Tshepo Moreki, Kyle Simmonds, Okuhle Cele
More to follow…
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