2nd unofficial Test, AUS A vs IND A: KL Rahul fails Perth Test audition, Dhruv Jurel key as India A in trouble

KL Rahul did not do his chances of earning a Test recall any good as he was dismissed for 10 in the second innings of the second unofficial Test. India A headed to Stumps on Day 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 73 for 5, taking a slender lead of 11 runs.

India A are on the verge of losing the second successive unofficial Test despite their fast-bowling unit stepping up to make good use of the pace-friendly conditions In Melbourne. Prasidh Krishna shone with four wickets while Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed chipped in with five wickets between them, but a sturdy 74 from Marcus Harris helped Australia A post 223 and seal a crucial first-innings lead of 62 runs.

It was a case of two Test openers having contrasting auditions in the lead-up to the first Test of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While India’s KL Rahul, who was sent early to Australia to play the second unofficial Test along with Dhruv Jurel, failed to make use of the opportunities in both innings, Marcus Harris put his hand up for the vacant opener’s spot in the Australia XI.

Harris is the frontrunner to open with Usman Khawaja in the Perth Test. However, he had a string of low scores after a productive Sheffield Shield match against Victoria against Tasmania in October, where he hit 143 and 52 in Melbourne. He scored 26, 16, 17 and 36 in his next four first-class innings, including the first unofficial Test. However, on a tough MCG pitch, Harris showed he is more than capable of finding a way to score runs, leading Australia’s A batting on Friday.

Nathan McSweeney, another candidate for the opener’s spot, failed to get going as Mukesh Kumar got him for 14 in Australia A’s first innings. Australia A were reeling at 84 for 5 after Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed worked their magic with the new ball with disciplined lines and lengths, but Harris helped them get to a competitive total.

In reply, India A’s top order failed once again. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is part of the 18-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, was dismissed for 17 to go with a duck in the first innings. Sai Sudharsan edged a delivery from pacer Baeu Webster to the gully fielder while batting at 3. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad continued to disappoint as he made just 11 runs. Devdutt Padikkal suffered a rare failure, getting out for 1 to Webster as India A slipped to 56 for 5.

KL RAHUL’S SHOCKING DISMISSAL

KL Rahul, who has been looked at as an ideal stop-gap replacement for Rohit Sharma if the India captain misses the Perth Test due to paternity leave, was dismissed in a baffling manner. Off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli bowled a harmless delivery that Rahul tried to pad away after a short-leg was in place. However, the ball hit the inside of his left pad and went on to hit the stumps, leaving the batter and the fielders shocked.

It was an ugly dismissal that seemingly reflected the lack of confidence in the star batter. Rahul was dropped after the first Test in Bengaluru against New Zealand, but the Karnataka star was looked at as a potential back-up opener. However, with two successive failures in Melbourne, it remains to be seen if India would back him in Perth. With Abhimanyu Easawaran not doing enough, India are in a fix in terms of their second opener’s spot for the series opener.

However, there was a bright spot as Dhruv Jurel, who hit a flawless 80 in the first innings, defied the Australia A bowlers in the final session, remaining unbeaten on 19 after having faced 47 deliveries in the middle.

Brief Scores: India A (161, 73 for 5) Dhruv (19*); Webster (2/14), lead Australia A (223) by 11 runs at Stumps on Day 2.