“My boy, just like you planned” - Riyan Parag reacts to Dhruv Jurel’s 80-run knock against Australia A in 2nd unofficial Test 2024

India A wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) teammate Riyan Parag shared a message, appreciating the former’s brilliant 80-run innings in the first innings of the second unofficial Test against Australia A. On Day 1 (Thursday, November 7), Australia A won the toss and chose to field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India A had a tough start, losing four wickets in just three overs. Abhimanyu Easwaran (0), KL Rahul (4), Sai Sudharsan (0), and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (4) failed to make an impact.

Coming in at No. 6, Jurel was the sole resistance for India, scoring a gritty 80 runs off 186 balls, including six fours and two sixes. India A were dismissed for 161, with Michael Neser taking four wickets for the hosts.

India cricketer Riyan Parag took to his Instagram stories to praise his Rajasthan Royals (RR) teammate, writing:

“My boy, just like you planned.”

Riyan Parag reacts to Dhruv Jurel’s 80-run knock (Image via Instagram-@riyanhparag)

At stumps on Day 1, Australia A were 53/2 after 17.1 overs, with Marcus Harris (26) and Sam Konstas (1) at the crease. Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed took a wicket each for India A.

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Riyan Parag to miss T20I series against South Africa due to an injury

The Men in Blue are scheduled to play South Africa in a four-match T20I series, set to begin on Friday, November 8, in Durban. The Assam cricketer will miss the series due to a shoulder injury. When announcing the squad, the BCCI issued a statement regarding Parag's unavailability, saying (via BCCI official website):

“Riyan Parag was unavailable for selection and is currently at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for long-term resolution of his chronic right shoulder injury.”

Here’s India’s 15-member squad for the four-match T20I series against the Proteas:

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.