India A in Command: Akash Deep Shines, Jurel’s Ton Sets up Strong Position
Akash Deep strikes in the opening over as India gains an early edge after Jurel’s fighting century.
Pacer Akash Deep wasted no time asserting his return from injury on Day 2 of the second unofficial Test, striking on just the third ball of his opening over to dismiss South Africa opener Jordan Hermann for a duck and hand India A an early breakthrough at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1. The wicket came amid a disciplined Indian bowling effort, with the hosts aiming to capitalise on their first-innings total of 255—built largely on Dhruv Jurel's resilient unbeaten 132—after South Africa A elected to field and bowled India out late on Day 1.
Deep's sharp inswinger beat Hermann's defensive prod and trapped him lbw, reducing the visitors to 1/1 in the second over before fellow opener Lesego Senokwane and Temba Bavuma steadied with a cautious partnership. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna supported from the other end, maintaining pressure on a surface offering movement, while spinner Kuldeep Yadav—fresh from Australia—prepared to exploit any turn later in the day. As of the latest updates, South Africa A trailed by over 200 runs with nine wickets in hand, facing a stern test against an attack featuring multiple senior-team regulars.
The morning session saw India A resume at their overnight position but add little before being all out, with Jurel's lower-order heroics—including partnerships of 79 with Kuldeep Yadav (23) and 50 with the tail—proving pivotal in lifting them from a precarious 126/7. Tiaan van Vuuren led the Proteas A charge with 4/52, while Prenelan Subrayen claimed 2/73, including the key scalp of Akash Deep himself on Day 1. Captain Rishabh Pant contributed 24, but openers like KL Rahul (19) and Sai Sudharsan (17) fell cheaply again.
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With India A leading the series 1-0 after a thrilling three-wicket win in the opener, this match serves as crucial red-ball preparation for both sides ahead of the senior Tests starting November 14 in Kolkata. For India, it's a chance for Pant to build keeping stamina, Rahul to find form, and pacers like Siraj and Deep to fine-tune rhythms; for South Africa A, Bavuma's return from a calf injury adds intrigue as he eyes confidence before captaining the main team. Play resumes post-lunch with India A pushing for more wickets to keep the pressure on.
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