Jurel’s Second First-Class Century Puts India A in Strong Position
Dhruv Jurel made a strong statement to the selectors ahead of India’s upcoming Test series, smashing a sublime unbeaten 113 off 132 balls in the first unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow on September 18 (Thursday). This was just his second century in first-class cricket, and it came at a crucial moment for both him and India A.
Jurel, batting with confidence and fluency, stitched together a massive 181-run unbeaten partnership for the fifth wicket with Devdutt Padikkal, who is also unbeaten on 86. Their stand helped India A recover and push into a commanding position after a shaky start. However, despite the partnership, India A still trail Australia A by 129 runs, with the visitors having posted a mammoth 532/6 earlier in the match.
Jurel’s Timely Knock Strengthens His Case for National Selection
This performance comes at an ideal time for Jurel, as India is set to begin their home Test season against West Indies from October 2. With uncertainty still surrounding Rishabh Pant’s return to international cricket, Jurel’s form and reliability behind the stumps make him a strong contender for the wicketkeeping role in the national side.
The 24-year-old has been consistently impressive in red-ball cricket. His last six first-class innings read: 19, 34, 52, 28, 94, and 53* — showing a clear upward trend. His latest ton only reinforces his credentials.
Jurel also gained valuable experience during India’s recent tour of England, where he served as backup to Pant. When Pant was ruled out, Jurel stepped into the XI and performed admirably. In the five Tests he has played so far, Jurel has scored 255 runs at an average of 36.42, while also taking nine catches and effecting two stumpings.
While Jurel impressed, not all India A batters capitalized on their opportunities. Captain Shreyas Iyer, returning to red-ball cricket, was dismissed for just eight. With competition heating up for middle-order spots in the main team, Iyer will be eager to make a mark in the remaining matches of the series.
Jurel’s rise continues to be one of the most promising stories in Indian cricket’s current transitional phase. If he keeps up this form, a Test call-up could be just around the corner.
