LIVE - Ind A vs SA A - Jurel 127*, Pant 65 set South Africa A 416 target

The visitors are 25 for no loss at stumps, with openers Lesego Senokwane and Jordan Herman surviving 11 testing overs from Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna.

Siraj has been particularly menacing, testing the inside and outside edge of Senokwane in a sensational burst in his last two overs, where there were as many as three appeals for caught behind that were turned down - all superb decisions by umpire Akshay Totare - before he shouldered arms and survived a close leave to one that shaved past the off-stump.

Siraj's spell reads 6-2-10-0.

South Africa A need 416.

Pant out for 65, attempting a slog-sweep that he top-edges to the wicketkeeper. Jurel finishes unbeaten on 127.

India A have an hour at the visiting batters to try and dig into the top order.

For a fourth time, the physio was out examining him in the previous over when he was hit on the body attempting to pull a short ball. And after some treatment, as some friendly left-arm spin of Simmonds comes on, he welcomes him with two big sixes, gets to a half-century (off 48 balls) along the way. India A's lead has crossed 400

He was stuck on 99 for seven deliveries, but he isn't to be denied. Brings up his fifth first-class century and his second in the match with a lovely flick through midwicket for four off left-arm seamer Tiaan van vuuren.

For a second straight innings, Jurel has rescued a floundering innings. An innings of composure and class. What a batter he's turning into. How do you keep him out even with Pant back?

Jurel has flicked on T20 mode soon after getting to his century.

He has shown no signs of discomfort. Neither from the blow to the helmet nor the hit on the elbow. He has come out looking to play shots, and has quickly pinched 23 off his first 15 balls upon return. At the other end, Dhruv Jurel is nearing a century in each innings. India A's lead is now 364. Wonder if they will look to nudge that towards 400 and bowl one hour at South Africa A.

The lead stretches to 334 before the partnership is finally broken at 184 - a much-needed breakthrough for South Africa A.

With the second new ball just taken, Moreki makes an immediate impact. Harsh Dubey, on 84, chases a delivery outside off and gets a healthy edge through to first slip.

A touch of relief for the visitors, who have toiled hard for this wicket.

Pant is back to take strike. He's unbeaten on 17.

India A were wobbling at 116 for 5 when nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal exposed the middle order. Uncertainty lingered around Rishabh Pant after he retired hurt. At that stage, it seemed the match was India A’s to lose.

But Dhruv Jurel has once again displayed remarkable composure to make unbeaten 75 that has underlined his growing case for selection as a specialist batter. His innings, studded with eight boundaries, has provided the backbone of the recovery.

At the other end, Harsh Dubey has matched Jurel’s poise with an assured 73 not out. The pair have lent crucial stability, steering India A to 270 for 5 at tea, a commanding lead of 304.

Jurel had a moment of fortune on 49 when an inside edge trickled onto the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails - a moment reminiscent of Siraj’s dismissal against Shoaib Bashir at Lord’s. Dubey, meanwhile, survived a chance off his very first ball, but since then has batted with confidence and control, further strengthening his credentials as a genuine all-rounder.

He defends forward, but the ball rolls off the inside edge onto the stumps, except they remain intact. Having survived by the skin off his teeth, he brings up his half-century off 82 balls. India A's lead has crossed 250.

Dubey brings up his half-century off 76 balls, his ninth in first-class cricket.

The pair have added a half-century stand for the sixth Wicket to stretch India A's lead past the 200-run mark. They were precariously placed when Rishabh Pant retired hurt, but Jurel has looked extremely assured. Dubey was put down first ball, but has since not put a foot wrong. He's neatly gotten behind the line of the ball, played on merit and has importantly left the ball well.

The game is moving at a breakneck speed. India A have added 65 for the loss of KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav, but they'll be concerned by Rishabh Pant retiring hurt on 17 after copping three blows - one to the helmet and two on the body.

Dhruv Jurel has looked set, aiming to build on his first-innings century. You wonder if he has done enough to line-up as a specialist batter if India go down that route with the no. 6 spot in Kolkata next week?

Harsh Dubey, who didn't have a lot of bowling to do in the first innings, has a great opportunity to prove his all-round chops.

Since Pant retiring hurt, they've also lost the wicket of Kuldeep. Harsh Dubey has been reprieved first ball off a tough chance at slip. Prenelan Subrayen is making the ball talk. Runs hard to come by for India A. The scoring has stalled. They're 123/5, with the onus on Jurel to drive the innings forward.

Three blows, the swelling and the discomfort has forced him to walk off.

Another one from Moreki.

This one cuts back in a long way to hit him on the box as he stabs down the wrong line.

That's three blows in 20 minutes. He's looking extremely uncomfortable and ruffled.

Time for drinks. India A `108/4, lead by 142.

This time, he's smashed on the elbow by a Moreki short ball angling in from around the stumps. Pant was into the pull way too early, and missed it. There was a groan that the stump mic picked up as the ball thudded into his elbow. The physio wastes no time in rushing out with the magic spray. Pant has yanked his gloves off and seems to be in a lot of pain. The physio is strapping his left forearm.

Rishabh Pant wastes no time finding his rhythm. His first three scoring shots read 4, 4, 6 - all dispatched to the leg side. A muscular heave over midwicket, a crisp flick sailing over the infield, and a trademark whip that lands deep into the grass banks.

Pant has come out looking to play shots and has been hit on the helmet by an incoming bouncer from Moreki as he was looking to play a reverse pick-up shot. The impact of the blow had him on the floor as he was also slightly off-balanced.

The physio comes out to do a mandatory concussion test as well as check the quality of the helmet.

And that’s a massive breakthrough — the kind of delivery Okhule Cele will replay again and again.

It’s a beautiful nip-backer, starting from a fourth-stump line and jagging in sharply to sneak past Rahul’s tentative push, brushing past the inside edge, and crashing into the off stump.

Rahul had looked composed throughout his short stay - solid last evening and confident in his first few deliveries today - but Cele’s roar says it all: this is a huge wicket in the context of the game.

Another day of speedy developments. This time, India have the upper hand thanks to Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep's efforts with the ball. That was followed by India losing Abhimanyu Easwaran early. Since then, KL Rahul shared a 35- and a 38-run stand with Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal.

Okuhle Cele, who dismissed Padikkal earlier, removed Padikkal towards the end. Kuldeep Yadav came out as the nightwatcher and survived three balls. With a lead of 112, seven wickets in hand and two days left, India A will look to extend their advantage. Join us tomorrow to find out if they can. For now, thanks for tuning in. Take care, goodbye!

Abhimanyu Easwaran:

A three-ball duck in the first innings.
A three-ball duck in the second innings.

B Sai Sudharsan:

lbw after being beaten on the outside edge in the first innings.
lbw after being beaten on the inside edge in the second innings.

India A 40/2, lead by 74.

KL Rahul joins his Karnataka state mate & senior, KL Rahul

Siraj nails a direct hit from short mid-off to dismiss Subrayen, who was refused a run by striker Ackerman. He was halfway down the pitch when he turned back, tried his best by putting in a full-length dive but is caught inches short of the ground as Siraj nails a direct hit with one stump to aim at. South Africa A 207/8 at tea on Day 2.

Gets there off just 99 deliveries with a thick edge that runs past slip. It's his fourth first-class century that has helped narrow down the deficit. The dug out applauds, everyone's out in the gallery. Terrific innings. Fourteen fours, three sixes. South Africa A 183/7.

Twenty-three balls is all it takes for the 9th wicket pair of Ackerman and Subrayen to raise the half-century of their partnership. SA A have whittled down the deficit to below 100. They're 173/7.

Two crisp cover drives, followed by a neat flick to fine leg - where Prasidh’s fumble turned a single into a boundary, much to Siraj’s irritation. The frustration was clear as he vented by knocking down the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Then came the two sixes: the first, a deft glide over the slips off a short ball; the next, a powerful hook that sailed over fine leg.

Oh, what a delivery! Full, tailing in late - it sneaks past the inside edge of the left-hander and crashes into middle and off. Timber everywhere! It’s Siraj’s masterful late swing with a 30-odd-overs-old ball that does the trick, sending Simmonds on his way. No footwork, playing down the wrong line, a gaping hole between bat and pad — too easy for Siraj. South Africa A tumble to their seventh wicket.

With partners running out, Ackermann has no choice but to counterattack. He steps out to Kuldeep, lifting him effortlessly with the spin for a majestic six over long-off. Next ball, a bit short — and Ackerman slaps it square through point. He moves to 69, fighting on bravely as South Africa A reach 132 for 7.

It's his drift and fizz off the pitch that does the trick as Tiaan van Vuuren is foxed. He plays for the turn back into him but this one drifts away and holds its line to beat the outside edge and flatten the stumps. KL Rahul at slip certainly enjoyed that. Kuldeep off the mark in his seventh over. South Africa A 121/6.

His five overs prior to the interval were lively, in which he caused a lot of discomfort to the batters primarily because of steep bounce. And the egg cracks open after the interval as he picks two in an over, sending back Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen in three deliveries. South Africa A tottering at 76/5.

From 11/3, these two have put on an unbroken 65-run stand for the fourth wicket on a surface that's still going quite a bit for the seamers. Siraj was outstanding, Prasidh got it to nip around and rear up but would like to be a lot more attacking in the second session. Kuldeep had the batters in trouble time and again while Akash Deep kept plugging away, looking to make the batters play a lot more than they left. Join us in 40 minutes for the second session.

Kuldeep Yadav has had Marques Ackermann on a string for much of his first four overs. He's been jabbing at deliveries, beaten by sharp turners, gone back to full balls, prodded down the wrong line. And now in a bid to break the shackles, he brings out a premeditated reverse-sweep that he nails for four behind point. Run-scoring continues to be a struggle for the visitors. Kuldeep's four overs have gone for eight. South Africa A 27/3.

He isn't happy with the decision, but has to go. Second wicket for Akash Deep.

On the face of it, this seems a leg-side strangle, but I just wonder if it brushed the thigh pad on the way through to Rishabh Pant.

Zubayr Hamza, one of only two members of this 'A' squad, in the Test side that will take on India next week has been done in by a superb delivery by Siraj.

This one pitches on a length around middle and decks away to square him up and hit him on the back pad as he prods down the wrong line. Siraj was so sure that was plumb that he carried on with his celebrappeal.

Tanmay Srivastava, the umpire, had no hesitation in raising the finger.

Akash Deep strikes with his third delivery with a corker. Lesego Senokwane plays inside the line of this length ball that holds its line to square him up and hit top of off. South Africa A 2/1 as Zubayr Hamza joins Hermann at the crease.

Amid a slew of changes, South Africa A will have the same openers, Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane, facing the music first up. It's overcast, the surface still has a green tinge to it and three slips are waiting as Mohammed Siraj is set to bowl.

Dhruv Jurel’s recent form has been hard to ignore.

Scores of 124, 44, and 6* against West Indies showcased his consistency and growing maturity as a batter. With Rishabh Pant’s return to the Test fold imminent, Jurel is making a strong case to be considered purely as a specialist batter.

That scenario might soon become reality, especially if India decide to strengthen their middle order with a dedicated batter at No. 6 instead of an allrounder.

If that happens, the contest for the spot could well come down to Jurel versus Nitish Reddy.

On Thursday, with India A in deep trouble, Jurel once again rose to the occasion. His superb lower-order rearguard not only steadied the innings but also brought up his fourth first-class century - remarkably, three of those have come since June. Only a couple of months ago, he compiled a brilliant hundred against Australia A in Lucknow.

Now, as South Africa prepare to tour, Jurel looks increasingly ready to build on his seven Test caps - and perhaps redefine his role in India’s red-ball setup.

India A have been bowled out for 255, with Prasidh Krishna the last man out as he chips a return catch to left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuren. He finishes with four wickets.

Terrible, terrible mix-up.

Kuldeep with a superb punch, Bavuma throws himself full-stretch to his left at short mid-off to stop and then fires a throw on the bounce to bowler Moreki who hits the stumps direct at the non-striker's end. Despite a full-length dive, Kuldeep is inches short of the crease.

In the end, Kuldeep, seeing Jurel was halfway down the pitch, ended up sacrificing his wicket by running through to the non-striker's end. It was hit firmly, and it was Kuldeep's call to make. Jurel instinctively took off for a single, perhaps not anticipating Bavuma to dive and stop.

End of a superb, superb partnership. India A 205/8.

The pair have raised a half-century stand for the 8th wicket after India A were in real trouble at 124/7. These two have batted out 14 overs so far in the final session, and have looked completely at ease with the conditions. There has strangely been little bite for Subrayen in the past few overs.

An eighth-wicket stand of 30 between Jurel and Kuldeep takes India A to 156 for 7 at tea. Jurel has made a strong case to be considered as a specialist batter when Pant returns. He's looked solid, shown patience, hasn't played a rash shot and has been equally adept both off the front and back foot against the moving ball.

Kuldeep got knocked down by the wicketkeeper, and seemed uncomfortable with some irritation on the left side of his head. He offered a chance to second slip, only to be put down by Hamza at the stroke of tea.

Kuldeep Yadav is flat on the ground after the wicketkeeper runs into him while collecting a throw from the deep. Unintentional, of course. Kuldeep was briefly rattled since he had his helmet on and he hit the turf while it was on. The physio conducted the mandatory concussion test, but he seems fine.

At the other end, Jurel has brought up a 62-ball half-century, a gritty effort where he's looked peerless while driving and cutting, and equally adept while handling spin.

India A 134/7

Akash Deep plays inside the line of a sharp-turner from Subrayen as the ball zips past his forward defense to crash into the stumps. A seven-ball duck for him. India A 126/7 as Kuldeep joins Jurel.

Dubey is bowled as he's overbalanced. He was looking to flick a harmless length delivery angling in, but was early into the stroke. The ball lobs off the back end of the bat, and hits the body before bobbling onto the stumps. India A 119/6.

After the loss of Pant for 24 early in the session to Moreki, Jurel and Harsh Dubey have put on 29, more importantly shown enough application against the moving ball to blunt the South Africa A attack on a surface that's still doing things with the semi-new ball. A while ago, Dubey wore a nasty blow on the gloves attempting to play a short ball.

Dubey has eight first-class half-centuries and is being looked at as a natural successor to Ravindra Jadeja. This is a great chance for him to prove his batting mettle. His bowling exploits, are, of course, well known courtesy his record-breaking tally of 69 wickets in the previous Ranji season.

India A 85/4 in 24 overs.

In seaming conditions, the top order has been prised out by late movement. Abhimanyu and Padikkal out to late seam movement, Rahul out driving and Sai Sudharsan defeated by sharp turn.

The onus is on Pant and Jurel to drive the innings.

And wickets continue to tumble. The latest of the top order batters to fall is Devdutt Padikkal, who pokes at one that leaves him late and is taken by the wicketkeeper. As a batter, those are the kind of deliveries you dread facing because you aren't quite sure how much it's going to deviate off the pitch. He made 6 & 5 in the first four-dayer, gone for 5 again. India A 59/4

Rishabh Pant has looked to take the attack from get go. He charged down the pitch first ball to Subrayen. Then slog-swept him off his 10th ball for a first boundary, and stepped out to loft him for six off his 11th. He has raced to 17 off 12. Dhruv Jurel joins him at No. 6.

Hot on the heels of Rahul's dismissal, Sai Sudharsan joins him in the dugout after hr's prised out by off spinner Prenelan Subrayen. Drifts in from around the stumps, hits the deck and gets it to spin sharply to beat Sudharsan's outside edge to be hit on the back pad. Absolutely plumb. India A 41/3.

Essentially, Sai Sudharsan played down the wrong line. He wasn't perhaps expecting the ball to turn that much on a first-day surface.

He was looking really good, but has fallen to left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuren who has him nicking behind in his second over. van Vuuren has the propensity to bend the ball back in to the right-hander, but on that occasion he angled one across and got it to hold its line as Rahul nicked off trying to drive on the up. Devdutt Padikkal comes in at No. 4. India A 38/2.

He's now into his sixth over, and nearly has a second wicket as Sai Sudharsan plays and misses. He was poking at a delivery that left him late; somewhat similar to how he fell in the first innings of the first four-dayer last week. After a watchful start, Sudharsan has moved on to 16. India A are 32/1 in the 12th over.

KL Rahul gets going in style, collecting three boundaries off seamer Okhule Cele in the third over - a flowing cover drive, a deft glide over the slips, and a neat flick off the pads to fine leg.

Sai Sudharsan faced 12 deliveries without scoring, repeatedly advancing down the pitch to counter the late movement. Off the 13th, he finally got off the mark with a delightful drive through extra cover.

South Africa A skipper Ackermann is walking off the field after jarring his shin on the ground while trying to stop a Sai Sudharsan cover drive. He's also pointing to his knee. Zubayr Hamza takes over the captaincy for the moment.

He went through entire tours of Australia and England without getting a game. On returning home, a minor finger injury disrupted the start of his domestic season. Since then, his scores: 44, 52, 17, 0, 71*, 20, and 25 have reflected promise. That unbeaten 71 stood out: a match-winning hand for Bengal, steering them through a tricky fourth-innings chase.

With Abhimanyu Easwaran, there has often been a lingering sense of unfinished business. Having lost his place in the Test squad, this game felt pivotal with his career at the crossroads. Unfortunately, it has ended in disappointment as he's out for a three-ball duck, pinned lbw by a sharp nip-backer from Tshepo Moreki that seamed in just enough to beat the inside edge and crash into his pad.