AUS-A vs IND-A: Jurel shines, KL Rahul fails as Australia hold edge on Day 1

On a challenging Day 1, Dhruv Jurel's fighting knock of 80 was the only highlight for India-A as they were bowled out for 161 by Australia-A. KL Rahul and the rest of the Indian top order had an outing to forget.

In Short

• India-A were bundled out for 161 runs on Day 1
• Jurel scored 80 runs off 186 balls
• Australia-A ended the day on 53 for 2, trailing India-A by 108 runs

Dhruv Jurel was the only bright spot for India-A on Day 1 of the 2nd unofficial Test on November 7, Thursday as KL Rahul and the rest of the Indian batters had a day to forget in Melbourne. Despite Jurel's well-constructed 80 off 186 balls, India-A was bundled out for 161 runs by the hosts, with Michael Neser picking up 4 wickets and Beau Webster getting 3. Apart from Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna, none of the other batters were able to go past the double-digit mark on Thursday.

Jurel and Rahul were drafted into the side after their India vs New Zealand commitments with the former being given the job of keeping wickets while the latter was promoted to the opening slot. The aim was to give both men game time ahead of the Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will begin on November 22. Rahul is expected to act as a cover for Rohit Sharma, who may miss the first Test. However, his first impression wasn't great.

Batting first, India-A found themselves in disarray in the very first over as Neser picked up Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan for ducks and off consecutive deliveries. Rahul got off with a boundary, but he wouldn't last long as Scott Boland made him the third Indian wicket to fall on the day. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's poor form in Australia continued as he was the third victim of Neser as India were left at 11 for in just 2.4 overs.

Padikkal and Jurel were at the crease at this point and the duo showed great resilience to steady the ship and get India-A past the 50-run mark. Padikkal scored 26 off 55 balls before Neser came back to dismiss the southpaw as India went into lunch at 64 for 5.

Jurel and Nitish would put on a 39-run stand before Webster caused havoc in the Indian batting order. He would dismiss the all-rounder and Tanush Kotian in the same over to leave India at 103 for 7. This is when Jurel switched gears and started to take on the bowlers. The 23-year-old went past 50 and found a good ally in Prasidh, who scored 14 off 37 balls.

Their partnership would end at 155 when Jurel's stay was ended by captain Nathan McSweeney for 86. India was eventually bundled out for 161 runs.

McSweeney fails

Over the past few days, McSweeney is slowly being considered as a contender to become Australia's opener during the India series. The 25-year-old scored 88 in the second innings of the first unofficial Test to guide his team home in the end and win the game.

McSweeney and another opening spot contender, Marcus Harris, would get Australia-A off to a good start as they put on 31 off 8.1 overs. However, Mukesh Kumar would end the stay of McSweeney to put some breaks on the scoring rate.

Khaleel Ahmed would end Cameron Bancroft's 22-ball 3 to reduce Australia-A to 43 for 2 to give some joy to the Indian side. Harris and Sam Konstas would say resolute till the end to put the hosts at 53 for 2 by the time stumps was called on Day 1.

Australia-A currently trail India-A by 108 runs.