India A take on South Africa A in the 2nd unofficial Test in Bengaluru. Follow IND A vs SA A live updates and scores of Day 3 here.
Dhruv Jurel’s timely ton ensured India A reached safe shores after initial hiccups. Rishabh Pant, who returned after retiring hurt, also played a fine hand of 64 runs in just 54 balls, including five boundaries and four maximums, at a strike rate of 120.37.
Eventually, India A declared on 382/7, with Jurel unbeaten on 127 in the third innings, to have a crack at South Africa A in the final few overs. However, South Africa A did well not to lose any wickets and end Day 3 with 25/0 in 11 overs, with Jordan Hermann (15*) and Lesego Senokwane (9*) unbeaten in a 417-run chase.
Dhruv Jurel and Harsh Dubey formed a timely 184-run stand for the sixth, technically seventh, wicket to revive India A. The two played with a positive intent before Dubey eventually got out on 84.
However, Pant returned to bat after an injury scare, which forced him to retire hurt earlier in the innings. Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel again hit a century – his second in the game – to all but seal his spot in the XI for the upcoming South Africa series.
Dhruv Jurel, who hit a valiant ton in the first innings, has started rebuilding India A innings again with Harsh Dubey. The two have been vigilant so far and formed a prudent stand for the sixth wicket, which is technically the seventh wicket since Pant returned.
By Lunch break, India A are 143/5 in 46 overs, with a hefty 177-run lead. Jurel and Dubey must stretch this stand for as long as possible because lower-order batters will follow after them, and Pant’s return is uncertain.
Rishabh Pant came out with an ultra-aggressive approach again. However, the pitch was tricky to bat, and he was hit on his body multiple times due to the uneven bounce before eventually retiring hurt.
Pant was batting on 17 in 22 balls, including two boundaries and a maximum, before walking back with an injury. This is a concerning development for India, as he had just recovered from a foot injury, and they will hope he is fit enough for the first Test next week.
India A were already in immense trouble after three wickets, and KL Rahul, who looked solid on the previous day, couldn’t add much to his tally. He was the first wicket to fall on Day 3 and could only add a solitary run to his overnight score.
During the second innings, Rahul made 27 runs in 60 balls, including three boundaries, before Okuhle Cele dismissed him in the 27th over. He should have converted this into a big one to put his team in a comfortable position, but a familiar story like the first innings followed.
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The second day started with the Indian pacers coming out with their tails up and grabbed quick wickets to unsettle South Africa A. Marques Ackerman hit a fighting century, but others couldn’t support him much.
For India A, Prasidh Krishna starred with three wickets, while Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj dismissed two batters each. A complete bowling effort bundled the opponent on a mere 221, as India A earned a handy 34-run first-innings lead.
Later, India A lost three wickets inside 23 overs while adding only 78 in the third innings. Day 2 ended with 78/3 in 24 overs, with the home side leading by 112 runs.
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