Jurel's second ton hands India A hefty lead

Dhruv Jurel registered his second ton of the game while Rishabh Pant overcame an injury scare to score a quick-fire 65 as the glovemen put India in a dominant position at the end of Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Riding on Jurel's 127 not out, Harsh Dubey's 84 and Pant's brisk half-century, India A posted 382 for 7 in their second innings before declaring, giving South Africa A a target of 417. The visitors reached 25 for 0 at Stumps, needing 392 more on the final day.

Starting the day at 78 for 3, India A lost KL Rahul early. Rishabh Pant, who came out to bat next, suffered three hits from pacer Tshepo Moreki - he was struck on the helmet, on his left elbow and in the abdomen region - before retiring hurt on 17 off 22. Nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav was the next to fall, leaving India A at 116 for 5. Jurel and Harsh Dubey then got together and put on a big stand to give the hosts a hefty lead.

They steadied the innings first, taking India A to 143 for 5 at Lunch. Jurel and Dubey continued solidly in the second session as they brought up a century stand in 131 balls, and both batters registered half-centuries as well, with regular boundaries and good strike rotation ensuring India A made steady progress. At Tea, both entered the 70s, taking India A to 270 for 5.

Post Tea, South Africa A opted for the second new ball and Moreki struck immediately, dismissing Dubey to end a partnership worth 184 as India lost their sixth wicket after they reached 300 in the 81st over. Pant returned to bat and he dealt in big hits as he raced to a 48-ball fifty with a six off Kyle Simmonds. This came shortly after Jurel brought up another three-figure score - he got there with a boundary off Tiaan van Vuuren and struck three more fours in the same over. The partnership eventually ended when Pant fell to Simmonds attempting another big hit, soon after which India declared their innings.

South Africa A's openers - Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane - batted watchfully as they saw off the 11-over period before Stumps without any damage. Hermann scored 15, including two fours while Senokwane struck one boundary in his 9 as they went back unbeaten. Mohammed Siraj (6 overs), Akash Deep (3 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (2 overs) handled the bowling duties in the small period of play before Stumps.

Brief scores: India A 255 & 383/7 decl. (Dhruv Jurel 127*, Harsh Dubey 84, Rishabh Pant 65; Okuhle Cele 3-46) lead South Africa A 221 & 25/0 (Jordan Hermann 15*) by 391 runs.