AUS-A vs IND-A: Dhruv Jurel shines despite India getting all-out for 161

Dhruv Jurel played a crucial innings of 80 runs to help India-A post 161 in the first innings against Australia-A. Despite early setbacks, Jurel's resilience shone through in Melbourne.

In Short

• Jurel scored 80 off 186 balls
• India were bundled out for 161 runs on Day 1
• The Indian top order, including KL Rahul, failed in Melbourne

On a day when the rest of the batters failed, Dhruv Jurel stepped up to score a valiant 80 off 186 balls to help India-A get to 161 runs in the first innings of the 2nd unofficial Test against Australia-A on November 7, Thursday in Melbourne. Jurel would hit 6 boundaries and 2 sixes in his knock that saved the blushes of the Indian side, who was once again rocked by a top order failure.

Jurel, alongwith KL Rahul, was added to the India-A squad as the BCCI wanted both men to get some game time under their belt ahead of the Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 23-year-old was part of India's squad in the Bangladesh and New Zealand Test series but couldn't get to play a game. Jurel did play a stellar role earlier in the year for India against England and scored a similar knock in the Ranchi Test, where he had saved the Indian team. A similar act was need on Thursday as Michael Neser would rip through the Indian top order.

Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan were back in the hut in the first over as Neser delivered the early blows. Rahul, who was being used as an opener during the tour game, also failed as he was dismissed for just 4 runs by Scott Boland. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also didn't last long as India was reduced to 11 for 4 under 3 overs.

Jurel would join Devdutt Padikkal in the middle and the duo steadied the ship for the Indian side. Neser would come back to dismiss Padikkal just ahead of lunch. Jurel was batting at 24 runs off 91 balls at a point in his innings as India took the break at 64 for 5.

Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy would add 39 runs before Beau Webster dismissed the all-rounder and Tanush Kotian in quick succession to leave India reeling at 103 for 7. Jurel would start to attack from this point as he slowly started to lose partners at the other end. The wicketkeeper did find some support from Prasidh Krishna and the duo added 36 runs before Jurel's stay was ended by McSweeney.

Prasid was the last man to fall as the Indian innings came to an end at 161.