Wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 113 underlined a collective batting show as India 'A' reached 403 for four against Australia A on day three of the unofficial Test in Lucknow on Thursday.
Apart from Jurel's 132-ball effort (10x4s, 4x6s) India were also bolstered by half-centuries from overnight batter N Jagadeesan (64), B Sai Sudharsan (73) and an unbeaten 86 from Devdutt Padikkal.
Sipper Shreyas Iyer (8), though, could not make a mark.
India A were trailing by another 129 runs as the contest heads for a draw.
Earlier, Jurel slammed a century to lead India A's strong fightback on Day 3 of the rain-hit first unofficial Test.
Jurel stroked his way to a fluent 113 not out from 132 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes as the hosts dominated the third session. Devdutt Padikkal made a solid 86 from 178 balls, as the duo put on an unbroken stand of 181 runs to rally India A after a couple of quick wickets earlier in the day.
India A reached 403/4 in 103 overs, at stumps on the third day, trailing Australia A by 129 runs.
Jurel was particularly aggressive as he smashed spinner Corey Rocchiccioli for two sixes and a four off consecutive deliveries to race to his half-century. He brought up his hundred in style from 115 balls, hitting Cooper Connolly for a boundary past point.
The duo helped India A get back on track after Sai Sudharsan and Shreyas Iyer fell within the space of 20 balls.
Captain Iyer made just eight before he was trapped leg before wicket by off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.
Sai Sudharsan stroked a solid 73 before he threw his wicket attempting a rash reverse sweep to be out leg before to left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly.
N Jagadeesan was the first wicket to fall on the third day which was again impacted by rain. The start of play was pushed back to 11am IST because of rain at the Ekana Stadium.
Resuming the day on 116/1 in 30 overs, India A lost Jagadeesan, who was dismissed caught behind off Xavier Bartlett for 64 at the stroke of lunch.
Australia A had piled up a huge 532/6 declared in 98 overs in their first innings.
Brief Scores:
Australia A 1st innings: 532/6 decl
India A 1st innings: 403/4 in 103 overs (N Jagadeesan 64, B Sai Sudharsan 73, Devdutt Padikkal 86, Dhruv Jurel 113 not out; Liam Scott 1/31)
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