Jurel lifts bleak batting mood ahead of Oz Tests

The 'keeper's fine fifties for India A at the MCG puts him in contention with many specialist batters struggling

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

For an India Test team that has landed in Australia still reeling from the collective batting slumps at home against New Zealand, it would surely be a welcome ray of sunshine. While the bunch of specialist batters in India A failed in the second unofficial Test loss to Australia A, they might have found the most assured candidate for the upcoming series - Dhruv Jurel.

On a challenging Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch last week where the top order tumbled twice, the 23-year-old produced back-to-back fifties, showing excellent technique and a positive approach that is so vital on Australian pitches where the ability to deal with pace and bounce is a must.

For sub-continent batters, it's always a challenge to make that adjustment. The degree of difficulty increases if there is grass on the surface allows seam movement besides the bounce. MCG threw up that challenge in the second game of India's shadow tour.

The in-form specialist batters picked for India A were all there, but most struggled to adapt despite having played in the first unofficial Test at Mackay, which the visitors lost.

The keeper-batter, a member of the Test squad, was picked to play his first tour game and only he crossed fifty in the match, scoring 80 and 68 to go with five catches. As if batting on a different pitch, he played some scintillating shots coming in at No.6.