Dhruv Jurel produced a fine knock on Day 3, as he notched up a maiden half-century during the fourth Test against England. Dhruv Jurel made a statement with a composed 90-run innings in just his second Test match during Day 3 in Ranchi against England.
After reaching his half-century shortly into the start of the third day of the Test, Dhruv Jurel paid tribute to his father, a Kargil war veteran. His innings was more than just a display of skill; it was a soldier’s son fulfilling his father’s wish while guiding his team out of a challenging situation against a strong England side. Jurel’s determination to succeed at the highest level was evident as he shepherded the lower-order batters with unwavering resolve.
Dhruv Jurel’s inspiring Journey to Indian ranks as wicketkeeper batter
Dhruv Jurel’s debut in whites wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was a story etched in grit, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of a dream. From the dusty pitches of Agra to the hallowed turf of Lord’s, his journey is an inspiration to anyone who dares to chase the impossible.
Born into a modest family with a Kargil war veteran father, Dhruv’s passion for cricket burned bright even at a young age. Despite limited resources and initial rejections, his determination never faltered. He practiced relentlessly, honing his skills on worn-out pitches, fueled by an unwavering belief in his talent.
His journey wasn’t a fairytale. There were moments of self-doubt, financial constraints, and setbacks that could have easily deterred him. But Dhruv, like the willow he wields, bent but never broke. He found support in his family, especially his father, who nurtured his dream with calloused hands and unwavering love.
His talent and hard work finally bore fruit. He progressed through the ranks of domestic cricket, impressing with his consistent performances. His vice-captaincy in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup runner-up Indian team further showcased his leadership potential.
The call-up to the senior team wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a testament to his unwavering spirit. As he walked out to bat in his debut, the weight of expectation sat heavy on his shoulders. But Dhruv, the boy who once chased his dream on dusty pitches, faced the challenge head-on.
His debut innings might not have been a statistical marvel, but his presence on the field spoke volumes. The determination in his eyes, the grace in his strokes, and the unwavering focus were a clear message: this was just the beginning. India won the test and Dhruv Jurel inflicted brilliance behind the stumps to trigger English collapse.
Following a 2-1 lead , Dhruv Jurel’s was at Ranchi, home of talismanic Indian wicket keeper MS Dhoni, young Dhruv Jurel couldn’t contain his dream to meet MS Dhoni one more time but before that produced one of the finest innings by an Indian wicketkeeper batter which would make MS Dhoni himself proud.
Dhruv Jurel’s magnificent 90 helped India stage a comeback to winning ways on the 3rd day
Arriving at 161/5 in the final session of Day 2, Dhruv Jurel soon saw his side slip to 177/7 with England’s total of 353 still far away from reach. However, the wicket-keeper batter applied himself on a slow wicket with variable bounce and crafted two crucial stands with the lower-order batters. He added 76 runs along with Kuldeep Yadav for the eighth wicket, and 40 runs for the ninth wicket with Akash Deep.
By the time he was dismissed in the 104th over, India’s deficit was a mere 46 runs. A brilliant follow-up from India’s spinners in the third innings ensured that England were bowled out for 145, and the hosts needed 192 to win the Test.
Jurel fell short of a maiden Test ton in his second Test, but the wicket-keeper felt no regret over missing out on the landmark. Rather his focus remained on winning his first-ever Test series, and was vocal about it in the post match press conference. This grit and determination shown by the young Indian wicketkeeper in only his 2nd innings with the bat at international level with red ball
However Dhruv continued his heroics in his 3rd innings of test career slamming a patient 39 not out and guiding India to a series win of 3-1 over England with one test to spare. This This grit and determination shown by the young Indian wicketkeeper in his only 2nd test has earned special praise from Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly.
Dhruv Jurel has talent but…- Sourav Ganguly
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that fans should not jump the gun by comparing Dhruv Jurel to MS Dhoni, one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters the country has seen.
While Ganguly lauded Jurel for his impressive exploits in his debut series, he suggested that he will have to continue performing well consistently for several years to be in the same category as Dhoni.
During an interview with Revsportz, Ganguly said:
“MS Dhoni is in a different league. Dhruv Jurel has talent, there’s no doubt about it, but it took 20 years for MS Dhoni to be MS Dhoni. Let him play. [I like] his ability to play spin, ability to bat against the pace, and most importantly, to perform under pressure, that’s what you look at a youngster, and he’s got the temperament.”
Dhruv Jurel made his India debut in the third Test of the ongoing five-match home series against England. He shone with the bat in the recently concluded fourth Test at Ranchi, registering scores of 90 and 39*.
Ganguly also reserved high praise for Team India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, hailing him as an all-format star. He added:
“He’s a special talent and a talent for all formats. 50-overs, T20s, he plays them equally well, and he’s got a great, great career. I really like him,”
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been India’s standout performer with the bat in the series. The southpaw is the leading run-getter in the rubber, having chalked up 655 runs across eight innings, including two double tons.
Sourav Ganguly on India winning the test series despite loss in the 1st test match at Hyderabad
Sourav Ganguly mentioned that he expected India to bounce back following their 28-run defeat to England in the Test series opener in Hyderabad.
Ganguly noted that India are invincible at home, while also highlighting England’s inexperienced spin attack. The former BCCI president elaborated:
“That was always on the cards. To beat India in India is very difficult. England are a pretty young team, especially the spin-bowling attack. All three of them have played one Test each before the start of the series. Bashir hadn’t played a Test match. Normally, you don’t see such inexperienced spin-bowling attack in international teams,”
Dhruv Jurel has also excelled behind the stumps with the gloves, effecting four catches and a stumping in his two Tests. His 46 on his debut in the Rajkot Test also came at a crucial juncture as India recorded a massive 434-run victory. India heads to Dharamshala for the fifth and final test on March 7th and would love to end the series high with a 4-1 result over England.