Dhruv Jurel has carved out a notable presence for himself. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter turned heads with his stellar performances in the unofficial second Test for India A against Australia A, making a compelling case for his inclusion in the Indian playing XI in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In the second unofficial Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Jurel found himself walking in at dire moments for India A. Facing a top-order collapse in both innings, he displayed an uncanny ability to stabilise the ship. His 80 off 186 balls was nothing short of heroic, coming after a time when the scoreboard read 11/4. His second-innings knock of 68 off 122 balls was equally pivotal, turning the game around from a wobbly 44/4. Point to note: Jurel didn’t even get a single net session in Australia and walked out to bat without any major preparation in alien conditions.
Jurel’s technique under pressure was exemplary. He played with soft hands, keeping the ball under his eyes, and showed maturity beyond his years. His knocks were marked by well-timed pulls, elegant drives and calculated upper cuts. He was quick to adapt to the challenging conditions under cloudy skies. His ability to rotate the strike while capitalising on the loose deliveries highlighted not just skills, but a sharp cricketing mind.
With the Indian senior team looking for reliable options in the middle-order, especially after a lousy performance against New Zealand, Jurel couldn’t have timed this better. His scores not only boosted India A, but also sent a strong message to the selectors. His composure, resilience and range against an attack featuring seasoned players like Scott Boland and Michael Neser underline his readiness for the international stage.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
Jurel, along with KL Rahul, was strategically sent to Australia ahead of the rest of the Test squad to get acclimatised and gain match practice ahead of the five-Test series beginning on November 22. This paid dividends, as Jurel outshone many of his contemporaries in the A team, proving his mettle when the situation was demanding. In just two innings, he outscored (148 runs) every other India A batter in the series, barring Devdutt Padikkal (151 runs in 4 innings).
As India prepare for the Test series against Australia, Jurel’s performance has sparked discussions about his potential role. With players like Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma struggling with form and doubts over Sarfaraz Khan’s ability to play express pace, Jurel’s form might just see him elevated to the role of a starter rather than a reserve player in the Perth Test.
The gloveman had an eye-catching debut Test series at home against England earlier this year, lifting India from 177/7 to 307 in Ranchi and playing a counterattacking knock to help India win the fourth Test from 120/5. Come Perth, Jurel could be handed an opportunity to add to his 190 Test runs (63.33 average), especially with Rahul not inspiring confidence with the bat.
Also Read: Troll reactions illustrate just why Rohit Sharma is doing the right thing