If Australia-A’s innings was constructed round power-hitting, India-A’s fightback on Thursday was constructed on textbook strokes unfold all around the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Dhruv Jurel (113 batting) displayed his willingness to tackle bowlers, Devdutt Padikkal (86 batting) was composed, whereas Sai Sudharsan impressed together with his silken wrists because the trio helped the host end the third day of the primary unofficial Take a look at on 403 for 4, 129 runs behind Australia-A’s 532 for six declared.
Vice-captain Jurel and Padikkal added 181 runs for the fifth wicket. The unbeaten partnership not solely saved India-A’s innings afloat but additionally drew large cheers from the small part of spectators as their flurry of strokes echoed across the empty stands.
The wicketkeeper-batter signalled his intent early towards Corey Rocchiccioli, coming down the monitor to loft him over midwicket earlier than pulling the off-spinner for 4 later. The 24-year-old was strong in defence however confirmed he may change gears at will. Towards Rocchiccioli, Jurel smacked two sixes and adopted it up with a late lower to succeed in his half-century in simply 55 deliveries. He continued in related trend and introduced up his hundred in 115 balls, smashing 10 fours and 4 sixes.
On the different finish, Padikkal was content material to play the second fiddle. For a lot of his knock, the left-hander relied on comfortable fingers, defending and dealing the ball round. However he broke free with a cracking lofted drive over cowl to succeed in his fifty in 117 balls.
Sai Sudharsan confirmed nice compsure till he perished whereas trying a reverse sweep.
| Picture Credit score:
UPCA
Sai Sudharsan confirmed nice compsure till he perished whereas trying a reverse sweep.
| Picture Credit score:
UPCA
The duo made full use of the hardness of the second new ball to drive, flick and pull their method into stumps, holding India-A’s innings collectively after captain Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply. Iyer, seeking to work Rocchiccioli to the leg facet, was trapped in entrance for simply eight – solely a few balls after he had danced down the wicket to hit the bowler over mid-on.
Earlier, in a single day batter N. Jagadeesan was dismissed 20 minutes into the day, which started an hour and a half late because of rain, for 64. With dampness within the wicket and overcast skies providing help within the morning session, Xavier Bartlett took benefit and located the sting to take away the opener.
Sudharsan, nonetheless, tackled the problem with composure. Strong in defence, the 23-year-old didn’t let something shake his focus. He left the short-ball barrage alone, and when Bartlett bluffed by pitching going fuller, he drove him straight previous mid-on.
His wrists labored their magic: a wonderful cowl drive off Liam Scott and a neat pick-up to sq. leg introduced him his fifty. His well-constructed 73 off 124 balls ended uncharacteristically, trapped leg-before trying a reverse sweep off left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly. His effort gave a powerful platform for Jurel and Padikkal to construct upon via the day.
Revealed on Sep 18, 2025