NEW DELHI: India’s young sensation Dhruv Jurel has etched his name in the record books with a commanding performance against South Africa A. The twin centurion in the match continued his rich vein of form, guiding India A to a strong position on the third day of the four-day contest.

His composed 127 not out in the second innings, following an unbeaten 132 in the first made him only the second Indian player to reach this feat.

Partnership Brilliance

Jurel found the perfect partner in Harsh Dubey, who contributed 84, as the pair stitched together a sixth-wicket stand of 184 runs. This partnership lifted India A from a precarious 116 for five to a dominant position, ultimately allowing the team to declare at 382 for seven, setting South Africa A a daunting target of 417. At stumps, the visitors were 25 without loss, with Lesego Senokwane (9) and Jordan Hermann (15) at the crease.

Jurel’s innings was a display of maturity and control. He relied on precise drives through covers, well-timed cuts past point, and delicate flicks off the pads, avoiding unnecessary risks while steadily accumulating runs. He reached his fifty in 83 balls, guiding India A out of a testing phase and maintaining a brisk scoring rate alongside Dubey.

Pant retires hurt, returns to steady the innings

Skipper Rishabh Pant, who had made a quick 65 off 54 balls, had to retire hurt after being struck multiple times by pacer Tshepo Moreki. He returned later to complete his fifty and kept wickets, alleviating any concerns about his fitness ahead of upcoming international assignments.

(With PTI Inputs)