Dhruv Jurel played a key role in India’s series-clinching five-wicket victory over England in the fourth Test match at Ranchi.
Featuring in his second Test, the young wicketkeeper stepped up to the plate under immense pressure in both innings.
In reply to England’s first innings total of 353, the hosts were reeling at 177/7 but went on to post 307 on the board thanks to Jurel’s 90-run knock.
Chasing 192 to win, India found themselves struggling at 120/5 but Jurel (39*) joined forces with Shubman Gill (52*), stitching an unbroken 72-run partnership to take the home side over the line.
Impressed with his performance, legendary India spinner Anil Kumble showered rich praise on Dhruv Jurel, admitting that the latter has all the credentials to achieve what the legendary MS Dhoni did in his illustrious career.
“Oh yes, there’s Rishabh Pant. We don’t know of course when he comes, comes back whenever that happens. Sooner hopefully for Rishabh. But otherwise, yes, he certainly has all the credentials to get to where MS (Dhoni) reached in his career,” Kumble said on JioCinema.
“But he’s shown that he’s not just shown the temperament of his technique to defence but even when he’s attacking. Even in that first innings he was very assured he went after and then hit those big sixes when he was batting with the tail and hats off even behind the stumps,” he added.
Kumble stressed on Jurel’s exceptional ability to handle the pace bowlers, stating that the youngster will get better with time.
“He’s been exceptional. Especially of the faster bowlers. Spinners again took a couple of really good catches and he’s only going to improve. This is only his second Test and I’m sure as he starts playing more and more he’ll only get better. And it only augers well for India. And to have him in a squad is exceptional,” he remarked.
Dhruv Jurel was handed a debut Test cap in the third match in Rajkot after KS Bharat failed to leave a big mark with the bat in the first two games.
While Kumble mentioned that it must have been difficult for Bharat to warm the bench in the middle of the series, he lauded Jurel for grabbing the opportunity with both hands.
“Yeah, I mean it’s not been easy for KS Bharat. But that’s why I said the selectors, having seen him with only 15 1st class games have chosen him. Saying okay, this is the person who we believe and introduced him in that last Test. And since then he’s been outstanding and he’s played the match because the batting really I always feel and I don’t want to sort of throw a dampener on this at all because that’s not my intention,” Kumble said.
India and England will now meet in the dead-rubber fifth Test match, scheduled to start on March 7 in Dharamsala.
