Dhruv Jurel in motion throughout the fourth Test in opposition to England in Ranchi.
| Photo Credit: Ok.R. Deepak
In December 2022, when Rishabh Pant suffered a horrific automotive crash, issues seemed gloomy for Indian cricket. While the nation was glad that he survived the accident, not having the maverick cricketer for an prolonged interval felt like a punch within the intestine.
The then 25-year-old wicket-keeper batter was India’s X issue, who had performed defining roles in two series wins that 12 months — in opposition to Sri Lanka at residence and Bangladesh away. He had additionally scored two first-rate a whole lot — albeit in dropping causes — in opposition to South Africa in Cape Town (Jan 2022) and in opposition to England in Birmingham (July).
Thirteen Tests and practically 13 months since Pant final performed for India, it finally feels like there’s a capable understudy in Dhruv Jurel. The 23-year-old Uttar Pradesh wicket-keeper made his debut in opposition to England in Rajkot, and produced a Player-of-the-Match efficiency in Ranchi as India secured the series 3-1.
The team-management zeroed in on Jurel after a lot trial and error. In the 11 Tests prior to his debut, three completely different ‘keepers were tried — K.S. Bharat, Ishan Kishan and K.L. Rahul.
Bharat, a seasoned First Class player and a fine gloveman, didn’t impress as a batter, scoring simply 221 runs from 12 innings at 20.09. Kishan, a sensational white-ball batter, made his India bow within the West Indies and performed two Tests, however has since fallen down the pecking order, with questions raised over his dedication in the direction of red-ball cricket.
Rahul saved wickets within the two Tests in South Africa, however that was extra a bespoke strategy for fast pitches, and never the turners one sees in India.
Jurel, in his two Tests in opposition to England to date, has impressed each as a ‘keeper and batter. The Agra native came in having played just 15 First Class matches and not all of them as a wicket-keeper.
But his work against the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, R. Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja belied his lack of experience. Either while diving down the leg-side, or leaping high above or standing up to the stumps, his dexterity and reflexes stood out.
“His keeping was something to watch – I think Ben Foakes [England ‘keeper’] has a little man crush on him there,” mentioned Ben Stokes. “There’s been some talent that’s emerged in this series and Jurel is one of them.”
As a batter, he left a fair greater imprint, developing with a 90 and 39 n.o., each underneath strain. In the first-innings, he scored at a strike-rate of 60.40 and within the second at 50.64. For somebody who first made waves by putting within the 170s as an Impact Player within the IPL, the numbers have been outstanding.
“It’s a different side to his game,” mentioned Joe Root, who was Jurel’s teammate at Rajasthan Royals. “His ability to strike cleanly and blast the ball to all parts from ball one is impressive. But to be able to transfer skills to Test format [means] he has got very sound technique. He has also kept really well and he is going to be a very good player for many years to come.”
