2nd unofficial Test: Defiant Dhruv Jurel stands tall to keep India-A ahead on Day 1

Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 99 helped India A recover from a middle-order collapse and finish Day 1 of the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A at 291/7. Courtesy of his knock, India were put in a strong position.

In Short

• India A scored 291 for the loss of 7 wickets on Day 1
• Jurel remained unbeaten on 99 after facing 155 deliveries
• Akash Deep and Jurel added an unbeaten 69 runs for the eighth wicket

India A captain Dhruv Jurel produced a defiant unbeaten 99 to help his side recover from a brief middle-order collapse and finish the opening day at 291 for seven.

Playing against New Zealand A at Hagley Oval, India A posted a respectable total on the first day of the second tour game, on a pitch offering plenty of seam movement and bounce.

Jurel's innings came at a time when India A were in danger of repeating the batting collapse that hurt them in the first unofficial Test. They had been reduced to 137 for five after losing four wickets for just seven runs, with a series of poor shots undoing the good work done by their top order.

The right-hander, however, kept New Zealand A at bay with a measured innings that combined patience with calculated aggression. He was particularly effective against the short ball, using his pull and hook shots to put the bowlers under pressure and shift the momentum back towards India A.

At stumps, Jurel was unbeaten on 99 off 155 balls, just one run short of a well-earned century. He found an able partner in Akash Deep, who was batting on 25, as the pair added 69 runs for the eighth wicket to take India A to a position of strength.

The partnership was the second-highest of the day, behind the 91-run opening stand between Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan.

JUREL RESCUES INDIA A

India A had made a comfortable start after losing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over. The opener, whose struggles continued after a difficult first unofficial Test, was trapped in front by Fraser Sheat off the fourth ball of the match.

Padikkal and Sudharsan then put together a 91-run partnership to steady the innings. Sudharsan made 41 before falling to Jarrod McKay shortly after lunch, but Padikkal continued to look in control. He brought up his half-century in 101 balls and appeared well set for another substantial contribution.

However, New Zealand A struck back with a cluster of wickets. Yash Rathod was caught behind off Brett Randell, before Padikkal's attempted cut against Sheat disturbed his stumps. Ravichandran Smaran fell for a golden duck in the same over, leaving India A suddenly exposed.

Washington Sundar and Jurel were then tasked with rebuilding the innings. But Washington's stay was brief, as he was trapped in front by Sheat, who emerged as the pick of the New Zealand A bowlers.

JUREL, AKASH DEEP TAKE INDIA A PAST 290

With India A losing wickets at regular intervals, Jurel and Manav Suthar added some much-needed stability. The pair put together 62 runs for the seventh wicket, with Jurel reaching his half-century off 93 balls.

Suthar contributed 22 before falling in the final session, leaving Jurel with the responsibility of guiding the lower order. The India A captain responded by taking the attack to McKay, hitting the pacer for a sequence of 4, 6 and 4 to give the innings fresh momentum.

Akash Deep then joined Jurel and offered stubborn resistance at the other end. Their unbeaten 69-run stand ensured that India A did not lose another wicket before stumps and pushed the total to 291 for seven.

On a surface offering seam movement and bounce with the new ball, India A will be pleased with their position at the end of the first day. After another collapse threatened to derail their innings, Jurel's knock has given them a strong platform to build on.

- Ends