Dhruv Jurel scored a great century for India A, but even his great play could not close a big gap – the team is still 129 runs behind Australia A at the end of Day 3. India A ended the day with a score of 403 runs for 4 wickets, behind Australia A’s first innings total of 532 runs for 6 wickets (declared).
In this article, I will talk about how Jurel’s knock and Devdutt Padikkal’s steady inning brought a lively comeback, the early problems India A had, and what to look forward to on the last day of this rain-affected match.
Dhruv Jurel’s Century Leads India A’s Fightback
As a cricket journalist watching from the press box in Lucknow, I was thoroughly impressed by Dhruv Jurel’s innings on Day 3. When Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer fell for just 8, leaving India A tottering at 222/4 (still 310 runs behind) in the second session, I worried the innings might crumble.
Jurel walked in at No.6 under pressure, but he had other ideas. I watched him counter-attack with authority – he brought up his half-century in emphatic fashion by taking Corey Rocchiccioli for 6, 6, and 4 in consecutive balls.
Jurel flipped a switch and struck with the intention and to regain the momentum. At the other end was Devdutt Padikkal, who provided calm support like ice to Jurel’s fire.
Padikkal was patient and composed, reaching his own fifty in 117 balls, a stark contrast to Jurel’s aggressive stroke play. Moreover, the duo’s partnership felt like watching fire and ice in tandem – Jurel peppered the boundary (he hit four sixes in his knock) while Padikkal ground down the Aussie bowlers with solid defense.
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🚨 THE PROFILE OF DHRUV JUREL FOR INDIA A 🚨
– 69(166) vs South Africa A in SA.
– 50(38) vs England Lions in IND.
– 80(186) & 68(122) vs Australia A in AUS.
– 94(120), 53*(53) & 52(87) vs England Lions in ENG.
– 140(197) vs Australia A in IND. pic.twitter.com/IV6OexZBBF— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 19, 2025
The chemistry worked brilliantly. Personally, I felt the turning point of the day was this partnership. From the moment Jurel started attacking, the body language of the Australian A fielders shifted; the fightback was on.
Jurel had not been beaten on 113 and Padikkal on 86, but had contributed himself to an unbroken 181 run partnership that had placed India A at 403/4. It was a wonderful turnabout of 222/4 -they not only stopped a collapse, they gave new blood to the contest.
In addition, for Jurel, this ton was particularly special: it was only the second first-class century of his young career, and he made it count when his team needed it most. I could sense the pride in the India A’s dressing room as the players applauded Jurel off the field.
His knock was full of grit and flair in equal measure, and as an eyewitness, I can say it was the heart of India’s fightback on Day 3.
Despite Dhruv Jurel’s Heroics, India A Still Trail by 129 Runs
However, even with Jurel’s heroics, India A is not out of the woods yet. The reason India A still lags is the massive total Australia A put up earlier.
The visitors declared on 532/6 in their first innings, batting almost in one-day mode with a run rate above 5 an over. Opener Sam Konstas scoring 109 and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe smashing an unbeaten 123* (off just 87 balls) during that onslaught.
Just a day after Sam Konstas cracked a ton against India A, Josh Philippe followed up with his own.
Match report from day two: https://t.co/rdwyNJQqOz pic.twitter.com/cCCdvk0mKu
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 18, 2025
It was a dominant display across the first two days, and it meant India A began their inning under enormous pressure. By the start of Day 3, India A were 116/1 overnight, and there was hope they could chip away steadily.
But the morning brought setbacks. Opener Narayan Jagadeesan was caught behind for a well-made 64 to pacer Xavier Bartlett early in the day. Then B. Sai Sudharsan, who had reached 73, attempted an audacious reverse-sweep and was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly.
When Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for a single-digit score – lbw to off-spinner Rocchiccioli for 8 – the score was 222/4 and the home side was reeling. At that moment, I felt the Australians firmly had the upper hand; the visitors could scent a collapse.
But that was exactly when Jurel and Padikkal dug in to turn the tide, as described above. Despite the valiant recovery by Jurel and Padikkal, India A still ended the day 129 runs behind Australia A’s first-innings total. Essentially, the hosts haven’t erased the deficit yet – a testament to how imposing the visitors’ score was.
With only one day left to play and rain interruptions already having eaten up time, it’s hard to see a result other than a draw. In fact, thunderstorms are forecast for Day 4, making the chances of a decisive result very slim.
Amit Mishra’s Take
Personally, I suspect Australia A will remain ahead on first-innings points, and both teams might shake hands on a draw unless something dramatic happens on the final day. From my vantage point, though, this day belonged to Dhruv Jurel.
His innings was the standout narrative – a blend of defiance and entertainment that enlivened an otherwise uphill battle for India A. Moreover, I could feel the crowd’s energy lift with each boundary he struck; it was as if hope was restored from the brink of despair.
I believe Jurel could perform under the pressure in this manner, which is a good omen for the future of India, the 24-year-old could play with the calmness of an older player and the fearlessness of a young player. Even if this unofficial Test ends in a draw with India A still 129 runs short, Jurel’s century will shine as the highlight of the match.
In addition, as a journalist and a cricket fan, I found myself applauding his knock – it was a memorable innings that turned a dreary, rain-marred game into a compelling contest.
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FAQs
- Who is Dhruv Jurel?
Dhruv Jurel is a 24-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batsman from Uttar Pradesh. He was part of India’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup squad and is a rising star who now plays for India A. Jurel also features in the IPL (for the Rajasthan Royals) and is known for his aggressive batting and smart glovework. - How many runs did Dhruv Jurel score against Australia A?
Dhruv Jurel scored 113 not out against Australia A in this match. He hit his 100 off only 114 balls, with a succession of boundaries, which was a much-needed shot in the arm of India A. - Who were the top performers in the India A vs Australia A match?
For India A, the standout performers on Day 3 were Dhruv Jurel (113)* and Devdutt Padikkal (86)**, who put together an unbroken 181-run partnership. For Australia A, opener Sam Konstas scored 109 and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe hit an unbeaten 123 (off just 87 balls) in the first innings, powering the visitors to 532/6 declared. - How did Shreyas Iyer fare in the India A vs Australia A game?
Shreyas Iyer, the captain of India A, had a modest outing. He scored only 8 runs in India A’s first innings, falling lbw to off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli. His dismissal left India A in a tricky spot at 222/4, though Jurel and Padikkal later rescued the innings. - How many first-class centuries has Dhruv Jurel scored?
This innings against Australia A was Dhruv Jurel’s second first-class century. His first came in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, when he scored a remarkable 249 runs for Uttar Pradesh. With only a few years into his career, Jurel has shown a knack for big scores in the longer format.
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