Dhruv Jurel Scores Unbeaten Century For India A In 1st Unofficial Test Against Australia A | Cricket News

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel came out to bat at No. 6 for India A in the first innings of the ongoing first unofficial Test against Australia A at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday, September 18, and remained unbeaten on 113 runs from 132 balls. During his stay at the crease on the third day’s play, he hammered 10 fours and 4 sixes and added an unbeaten 181 runs from 247 balls for the fifth wicket with Devdutt Padikkal (86 runs from 178 balls).

With his century against Australia A, Jurel, who has played five Tests for India so far, has made a strong case for selection in India’s playing XI for the first Test of the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies.

Following the conclusion of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, Team India will face the West Indies in a two-match Test series in front of home fans. The series opener is scheduled to take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from October 2 to 6, and Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium will host the second red-ball match from October 10 to 14.

Rishabh Pant is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Tests, but the left-handed batter is out of action these days due to a foot injury that he suffered on Day 1 of the fourth India-England Test played at Old Trafford from July 23 to 27.

There is no official update on Pant’s recovery, and it remains to be seen if he is fit to feature in the Test series against the Men in Maroon.

While Jurel has made a case for his selection in India’s Test squad for the upcoming home series, Shreyas Iyer failed to make the most of the opportunity. The 30-year-old right-handed batter from Mumbai, who is also leading the India A team came out to bat at No. 5 in the first innings but could only manage to score 8 runs from 13 balls with the help of one four.

Jurel’s super show with the bat on Thursday helped India post a total of 403 runs for the loss of three wickets on Thursday. The hosts still trail Australia A’s first innings total of 532/6 dec by 129 runs. For Australia A, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly and Rocchiccioli picked up one wicket each on Thursday.