Cricket

KL Rahul's poor form in Test cricket has raised concerns ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, Dhruv Jurel has emerged as a strong contender for a spot in the playing XI after his impressive performances for India A in the unofficial Test series against Australia A.Rahul, who was sent to Australia early to gain some match practice, failed to impress in the second match, scoring only 4 and 10. In contrast, Jurel grabbed his opportunities with both hands, scoring 80 and 68 in the two innings. He was India A's top-scoring batter in both innings, making a strong case for his inclusion in the senior team.Jurel's batting was not the only aspect that impressed. He also showed good skills behind the gloves, taking a remarkable catch of Jimmy Peirson off the bowling of Prasidh Krishna. However, it is unlikely that he will replace Rishabh Pant as the wicket-keeper for the first Test in Perth.Jurel is expected to play as a pure batter in the first Test. His temperament and ability to perform under pressure, especially in his first time playing in Australia, have earned him praise from experts.Prasidh Krishna was another standout performer for India A. He claimed 2 and 4 wickets in the two innings respectively and also contributed with the bat, scoring 14 and 29. His all-round performance has also put him in contention for a spot in the Perth Test playing XI.Overall, the second unofficial Test against Australia A has provided some positive signs for India. Jurel and Krishna have shown that they are capable of performing at the highest level, and they will be hoping to continue their good form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia A emerged victorious in the second unofficial Test against India A at the MCG, securing a 2-0 series win. The match witnessed a thrilling run chase, with Sam Konstas and Beau Webster guiding Australia A to a six-wicket triumph.India A, resuming on 123/6, were bolstered by Dhruv Jurel's second half-century of the match (68) and Prasidh Krishna's 29. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Tanush Kotian also contributed, ensuring Australia A faced a challenging chase of 168.However, Australia A's chase got off to a disastrous start as Prasidh struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft for ducks. Nathan McSweeney's 25 further dented their hopes, leaving them reeling at 73/4.Enter Sam Konstas, who showcased his composure and batting prowess. The 19-year-old remained resolute in defense and gradually expanded his game, hitting boundaries off Prasidh and Kotian. He formed an unbeaten 96-run partnership with Beau Webster (46*), guiding Australia A to victory.Earlier, Jurel had been the cornerstone of India A's batting, sharing a crucial 94-run stand with Reddy. However, his dismissal to Corey Rocchiccioli opened the door for the tail, which added 67 runs. Kotian and Prasidh frustrated the bowlers with a 49-run partnership, but Konstas' sensational diving catch at deep midwicket ended Prasidh's innings.Rocchiccioli wrapped up the innings with his fourth wicket, leaving Australia A with a tricky chase. Konstas and Webster rose to the occasion, guiding their team to victory with an unbeaten 96-run stand.

Prasidh Krishna's Double-Wicket Maiden Over Stuns Australia AIn a remarkable display of pace and accuracy, Indian speedster Prasidh Krishna claimed two wickets in consecutive balls in the opening over of the India A vs Australia A match in Melbourne on Saturday. The fiery pacer dismissed Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft for golden ducks, sending shockwaves through the Australian camp.Krishna's first victim was Harris, who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel after the ball swung in and took the inside edge of his bat. Bancroft, who came in next, was greeted with a toe-crusher that crashed into his stumps.The double-wicket maiden over put Australia A on the back foot in their chase of 168. However, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas steadied the ship with a solid partnership in the third session.Earlier, India A had posted 229 all out in their second innings, thanks to a solid 68-run knock from Jurel and contributions from the lower-order batters.Krishna's performance was a testament to his growing maturity and skill as a fast bowler. The 26-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, and his performance against Australia A will only boost his confidence ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Dhruv Jurel's Gritty Half-Century Rescues India A in Second Unofficial TestAt the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel once again showcased his impressive form in the ongoing second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A. Jurel's crucial knock of 68 off 122 balls helped India A post a challenging target of 168 for Australia A.After trailing by 62 runs in the first innings, India A's top-order faltered in their second innings, losing half of their side for a mere 56 runs. However, Jurel, the 23-year-old keeper-batter, stood firm, anchoring the innings with a composed half-century.Jurel's resilience and determination were evident as he forged a crucial 94-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Nitish Reddy, who contributed 38 runs. This partnership stabilized India A's innings and gave them a much-needed boost.Jurel's back-to-back fifties have been a timely reminder of his excellent form ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to commence on November 22. His contributions with the bat have been vital in what has been a low-scoring contest dominated by the bowlers at the MCG.The lower-order batters also stepped up in the second innings, with Tanush Kotian adding a valuable 44 and Prasidh Krishna chipping in with 29 to push India A's total past the 200-run mark. Their efforts ensured that India A set Australia A a competitive target of 168, which could prove difficult to chase on a pitch where bowlers have held the upper hand throughout the game.Jurel's gritty performance has not only rescued India A in this match but has also highlighted his potential as a reliable batsman in the upcoming Test series against Australia. His ability to play under pressure and contribute with the bat will be crucial for India's success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment over the selection committee's decision to overlook Ranji Trophy record-holder Jalaj Saxena for the India A team. Saxena, who has played in the domestic circuit for 17 years, holds the unique distinction of being the only player to have 400 wickets and 6000 runs to his name in Ranji Trophy history.In response to a tweet mentioning Saxena's record, Harbhajan questioned the relevance of domestic tournaments in the current scenario where players are being picked from the Indian Premier League (IPL). "Agree with you. He should be considered at least for India A. Useless of playing Ranji now? People are getting picked from IPL," Harbhajan replied.Harbhajan's comments come in the wake of India's disappointing 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home. The former cricketer said that it was a disappointing result for the Rohit Sharma-led side, especially considering the expectations before the series."This entire series has been quite disappointing for all of us. When New Zealand came here, the expectation was that the result would be 3-0 and India would win the series. I can only say that they outplayed us and they took advantage of those conditions," Harbhajan told ANI.Harbhajan praised New Zealand for their performance, saying that they outplayed India and took advantage of the conditions. He also highlighted the importance of playing to one's strengths and adapting to different conditions."New Zealand played to their strengths. They knew that they had a good spin attack and they used it to their advantage. They also adapted to the conditions very well," Harbhajan said.Harbhajan's comments have sparked a debate about the importance of domestic tournaments and the role of the IPL in player selection. It remains to be seen whether the selection committee will reconsider their decision and include Saxena in the India A team for the upcoming matches against Australia A.

The ongoing unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A has been marred by a series of ball-tampering controversies. In the first Test in Mackay, India A players were accused of altering the condition of the ball, leading to its replacement overnight. The incident sparked a heated exchange between the players and umpire Shawn Craig, with former Australia captain David Warner also questioning the decision.Cricket Australia (CA) later dismissed the allegations against India A, stating that the ball was changed due to deterioration. However, in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India A players were once again involved in a ball-related incident.In a viral video, the players can be seen having a conversation with the umpire, pointing out a substance on the ball. Commentators suggested that the substance could be either mud or white paint. Pacer Prasidh Krishna appeared particularly agitated during the discussion.The incident occurred as India A struggled in their second innings, losing five wickets for just 25 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy were the only batsmen to offer any resistance, with India A trailing by 11 runs at the end of day two.The ball-tampering allegations have cast a shadow over the series, which is intended to provide opportunities for players to impress ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The incidents have raised questions about the integrity of the game and the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

KL Rahul's struggles with form continued during India A's second unofficial Test against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the Indian opener drawing sharp criticism following a bizarre dismissal. With just weeks left before the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahul's failure to capitalize on a key opportunity has ignited a flurry of reactions on social media.Drafted into the India A side to regain form ahead of the series, Rahul had an underwhelming outing in both innings. After scoring just 4 in the first innings as part of India A's early collapse, he had a chance to redeem himself in the second innings. However, his dismissal in a peculiar fashion left fans and critics stunned.Facing spinner Corey Rocchiccioli in the 18th over, Rahul, who had already played 43 deliveries, chose not to offer a shot to a tossed-up delivery that turned to the middle stump. He padded the ball away, but it deflected off his pad and onto the stumps, resulting in his dismissal for 10 off 44 balls.Rahul appeared to misjudge the ball's trajectory, expecting it to spin down the leg side, only for it to sneak through his legs and dislodge the bails. Shaking his head in frustration, Rahul walked back to the pavilion, his dismissal leaving fans speechless.The uncharacteristic dismissal has further amplified concerns over Rahul's form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Social media exploded with reactions, with many fans expressing frustration at the batter's continued vulnerability to spin and his lack of confidence.Some users sarcastically commented, "Even your haters are feeling sad for you now," while others described it an "innovates new ways to throw wicket."Rahul, who has faced intense scrutiny over his performances in recent months, was hoping to use the unofficial Test series as a platform to regain form. However, this latest setback has sparked doubts about his readiness for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Marcus Harris' gritty 74 and a crucial last-wicket stand between Corey Rocchiccioli and Nathan McAndrew propelled Australia A to a 62-run first innings lead over India A on a rain-affected second day at the MCG.Harris, vying for a Test recall, held Australia A's innings together through two rain delays, anchoring the innings with a patient knock. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, valuable contributions from Jimmy Peirson, McAndrew, and Rocchiccioli helped Australia A post a competitive 223.Prasidh Krishna continued his impressive tour with four wickets, while Mukesh Kumar bagged three for India A. However, India A's second innings faltered, losing five wickets for 73 runs. McAndrew and Beau Webster did the damage in the absence of Michael Neser, who injured his hamstring on day one.KL Rahul, who is being considered as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma in the first Test in Perth, failed again, falling for just 10 to the offspin of Rocchiccioli in bizarre fashion. Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad also departed cheaply, leaving India A in a precarious position.Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy held the innings together for India A, but the lead remains a slender 11 runs at stumps. The pitch has proven challenging for both sides, with only Harris and Peirson managing to pass 35 so far.Australia A's last-wicket stand could prove crucial in the context of the match, as they look to build a substantial lead and put pressure on India A. The third day promises to be pivotal, with India A needing to bat with resilience and Australia A aiming to capitalize on their advantage.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's recent struggles in the unofficial Test series against Australia A have cast doubt on his readiness for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Bengal opener, who was expected to cement his place as a potential opener in the Test series, has failed to make an impact with the bat in his four innings.In the first unofficial Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Easwaran scored just 7 and 12. His performance dipped further in the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the first innings and managed only 17 off 31 balls in the second innings.Easwaran's total tally of just 36 runs from four innings reflects a significant missed opportunity for the opener. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on November 22 in Perth, questions are likely to be raised about his readiness for the marquee series.The 29-year-old batter has been waiting in the wings for a spot in India's Test team, but his recent performances have not been encouraging. He will need to find his form quickly if he wants to be considered for a place in the playing XI for the first Test in Perth.