Dhruv Jurel played an instrumental 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 Jurel’s performance, legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar referred to him as 'another MS Dhoni in the making' while doing commentary in the Ranchi Test.
After Gavaskar, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly also showered rich praise on Dhruv Jurel but he refrained from comparing the youngster with Dhoni.
"Dhruv Jurel… what a Test match he had under pressure on a difficult wicket. There is huge talent and if you miss you and you go back down in the ladder, it will be very hard to come back. MS Dhoni is in a different league. Jurel has talent; there's no doubt about it. But it took MS Dhoni 20 years to be MS Dhoni. Rather 15 years for Dhoni to be Dhoni. So let him [Jurel] play. Jurel's ability to play spin, pace and most importantly to perform under pressure. That's what you look for in a youngster," Ganguly told RevSportz.
Gavaskar made the 'another MS Dhoni remark' on Day 2 of the Ranchi Test, shortly after Jurel had hit his maiden half-century in the longest format for India.
"Of course he has batted well, but his keeping, his work behind the stumps has been equally brilliant. Just by looking at his game awareness, I want to say that he is another MS Dhoni in the making. I know there can never be another MSD but you know the presence of mind that he has, MSD also when he started, it was that. And Jurel has that game awareness. Street-smart cricketer," Gavaskar had said on air.
Dhruv Jurel will now be seen in action in the dead-rubber fifth Test against England, slated to be held in Dharamsala from March 7.
