Team India are in the driver’s seat in the penultimate Test of the ongoing five-match series against England at Ranchi.
In reply to England’s first innings total of 353, the hosts posted 307/10 thanks to wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel’s 90-run knock.
The Indian spin trio of R Ashwin (5/51), Kuldeep Yadav (4/22) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/56) then came to the fore and wrapped up England’s second innings for just 145 runs to set themselves a target of 192.
In the chase, India were 40/0 at stumps on Day 3 with Rohit Sharma (24*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (16*) unbeaten in the middle, needing 152 more runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
After the day’s play, Jurel said he was focused on how he could help the side as he walked out to bat with India had already lost half their side for just 161 runs.
“It is my debut series so obviously there will be some pressure. But when I went all I thought was about what the team needed. How much time I can spend in the middle and score some runs and how much it will help the team," Jurel, who is featuring in his second Test, told reporters.
Dhruv Jurel added 76 runs for the eighth wicket with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who faced 131 deliveries to score his 28 runs.
Reflecting on his partnership with Kuldeep, Jurel said: “We both are from UP, we had an understanding, even during domestic so that was helpful.”
Jurel may have missed out on his maiden Test century by 10 runs, but he was not at all concerned about it.
“I am not worried too much about the century, this is my debut series. I am desperate to lift the trophy in my hands, to play Test cricket was one big dream for me," he remarked.
The wicketkeeper-batter was overwhelmed by the praise he received from legends like Sunil Gavaskar.
“Obviously, it is good feeling to hear legends like Sunil Gavaskar talk about me. The mood was great, there were no specific instructions and I just went and played. Watch the ball and play. Just that the longer I play the better it is," he said.
When Kuldeep got out, India’s score was 253/8 but Jurel batted well with tail-enders like Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj to take the hosts to 307.
“There was no specific plan, but it is important to show confidence and faith. I have to tell them that you can bat. That is what we planned and it worked out. Both (Akash Deep and Siraj) are decent batters, they bat in IPL as well. I told them the same and it was necessary. They did well," he explained.
The youngster celebrated his maiden Test fifty with a salute in a tribute to his father, a Kargil war veteran.
“It was for my father. He is a Kargil veteran. Yesterday I spoke and he indirectly said ‘Son, at least show me a salute’. That is what I have been doing all my growing up years. It was for him," he revealed.
“Obviously it was great, it was a dream from a young age, and as you said, shut everyone’s mouth), so that is done. So, I kept working hard because it was worth it and my dad believed in me," he reminisced.
Jurel cherished the opportunity to keep wickets when some of the great bowlers like Ashwin and Jadeja plied their trade.
“They are world-class bowlers, their styles are different from others and it is a little tough. I love challenges, whatever they are I take it on and do it."
Jurel concluded by highlighting the need to have played straight considering the pitch and hoped to secure the series-clinching victory on Monday.
“The wicket was low bounce, so obviously the runs stopped coming from square of the wicket. I felt I had to play straight. The ball was keeping low and I kept it in my subconscious mind that it was staying low and I had to be ready and play straight. Whatever shot I hit, I hit them straight.
“It is good that we restricted them to that total. Rohit bhai and Jassu (Jaiswal) are batting and hopefully we will win with no loss," he signed off.
(CricketNext inputs)
