Dhruv Jurel Stands Tall With 132* As India A Recover To 255

Dhruv Jurel rescued India A from the brink of collapse with a magnificent unbeaten 132, powering the hosts to 255 all out on the opening day of the first four-day match against South Africa A at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter walked in at a precarious 36 for four and displayed exemplary technique under overcast skies, negotiating relentless seam movement and bounce to stitch crucial partnerships that lifted India A from a dire 126 for seven.

After India With captain Ruturaj Gaikwad elected to bat, the top order crumbled against a disciplined South African pace attack led by Migael Pretorius (4-45) and Lungi Ngidi (3-52). Openers Pratham Singh (0) and Mayank Agarwal (16) fell early, followed by Gaikwad (8) and Ishan Kishan (21), leaving the innings in tatters. Jurel, however, countered the swinging ball with soft hands and precise leaves, farming the strike intelligently during a 79-run eighth-wicket stand with Kuldeep Yadav (20 off 87 balls) that frustrated the visitors for nearly 30 overs.

The Uttar Pradesh batter accelerated post-tea, reaching his hundred off 149 balls before unleashing aggressive strokes—12 fours and four sixes in total—to add 50 runs in the final hour. His knock, the centerpiece of India A's recovery highlighted maturity beyond his 15 international appearances, blending defensive resilience with calculated boundary-hitting on a pitch offering inconsistent bounce. South Africa openers Tony de Zorzi and Neil Brand negotiated the remaining 11 overs safely to reach 28 without loss by stumps.

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With the series serving as crucial preparation ahead of India's Test tour of Australia, Jurel's innings underscored his growing stature as a reliable middle-order anchor. The remaining three days promise a keen contest, as South Africa A—boasting experienced internationals like Ngidi, Pretorius, and Temba Bavuma—aim to exploit any further assistance from the surface, while India A's spinners Kuldeep and Washington Sundar eye reverse swing under lights in the floodlit fixture

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