Cricket

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.

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.

India A's Appeal Denied in Controversial Catch DecisionIndia A's hopes of leveling the unofficial Test series against Australia A were dealt a blow on the second day of the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A contentious catch decision involving Australia A opener Marcus Harris left the Indian players and fans in disbelief.During the 22nd over of Australia A's innings, spinner Tanush Kotian delivered a delivery that drifted into Harris before spinning away. The ball appeared to clip the edge of Harris' bat and flew to the fielder at first slip, who claimed the catch cleanly.However, to the astonishment of the India A players, on-field umpire Mike Graham-Smith ruled Harris not out. The Indian players, including Kotian, were adamant that Harris had edged the ball, but their appeals were met with indifference.Harris, who was batting on 48 at the time, survived the appeal and went on to complete his half-century before being caught behind off Prasidh Krishna on 74. The incident sparked a heated exchange between the India A players and the umpire, with the Indians gesticulating and expressing their frustration.Harris, on the other hand, indicated that the sound had come from his bat clipping his pad. The commentators on air also expressed their disbelief, stating that it appeared to be a clear edge.The controversial decision has cast a shadow over the second unofficial Test, which is seen as an audition for players from both teams to earn a spot in the senior sides for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first unofficial Test was won by Australia A by seven wickets, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.The second match began on Thursday with Australia A opting to bowl and dismissing India A for 161. In reply, the hosts took a 62-run lead after being bowled out for 223. The match is set to resume on Saturday, with India A needing to find a way to break through Australia A's batting lineup and level the series.

Australia A emerged victorious in the first unofficial Test against India A, securing a seven-wicket win at Mackay on Sunday. The triumph gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.India A, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were dismissed for a paltry 107 runs in their first innings. Devdutt Padikkal (36), Sai Sudharsan (21), and Navdeep Saini (23) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Brendan Doggett was the star performer for Australia A with a six-wicket haul, while Jordan Buckingham, Todd Murphy, and Fergus O'Neill chipped in with one wicket each.In response, Australia A posted 195 runs, taking an 88-run lead. Nathan McSweeney (39), Beau Webster (33), and Cooper Connolly (37) made significant contributions. Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna were the tormentors for India A, claiming six and three wickets, respectively.India A's second innings saw a resurgence as Sai Sudharsan (103) and Devdutt Padikkal (88) forged a 200-run partnership. Ishan Kishan also contributed with a solid 32. India A was eventually bowled out for 312, setting Australia A a target of 225 runs.Australia A's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three early wickets. However, McSweeney (88) and Webster (61) steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. McSweeney's innings was particularly impressive, lasting 178 balls and featuring nine boundaries. Webster's contribution of 61 runs in 117 balls helped Australia A secure the victory with seven wickets to spare.

Rising Indian stars B. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal showcased their exceptional batting prowess on day two of the first 'Unofficial Test' against Australia-A, guiding India-A to a commanding position with a 120-run lead.Mukesh Kumar, the Bengal seamer, had earlier stolen the show with a remarkable six-wicket haul, restricting Australia-A to 195 in their first innings. Despite his heroics, the hosts managed to secure a crucial 88-run lead.India-A's second innings began with a shaky start, losing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran cheaply. However, Sudharsan and Padikkal steadied the ship with a resolute 178-run stand for the third wicket.Sudharsan, known for his aggressive strokeplay, struck nine boundaries in his 185-ball 96, while Padikkal played a patient yet composed knock, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 167 balls. Their partnership allowed India-A to seize control of the match.Sudharsan's innings was characterized by his ability to dispatch anything short, cutting and pulling with precision. Padikkal, on the other hand, worked the ball around for quick singles and capitalized on loose deliveries to reach his half-century.With two more days remaining in the four-day fixture, India-A now hold a significant advantage. The scores stand at: India-A 107 and 208/2 in 64 overs (Sai Sudharsan 96 batting, Devdutt Padikkal 80 batting) vs Australia-A 195 in 62.4 overs (Nathan McSweeney 39; Mukesh Kumar 6/46, Prasidh Krishna 3/59).