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 couldnt 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.
I have no regrets about missing century in Ranchi- Dhruv Jurel
Young Indian keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel said that he doesn’t regret missing out on his hundred on day 3 of the 4th Test against England in Rajkot. The 23-year-old said that he only intends to help India win the series and that playing Test cricket is a dream in itself.
Jurel rescued India with his knock of 90 runs, bringing their deficit down to a mere 46 after the hosts had been struggling at 177/7. The youngster shared two notable partnerships with Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep to drag the home side past 300 before losing his wicket to Tom Hartley.
Speaking at a presser after the day’s play, the Agra-born cricketer suggested that his rapport with Kuldeep Yadav made the crucial partnership possible between them. He said:
“It is my debut series, so obviously there is pressure. I was thinking about what the team needed from me in that situation. I have a good rapport with Kuldeep, we are both from UP and we kept speaking to each other. I have no regrets about missing century in Ranchi. My only dream is to lift the series trophy with my own hands. It was my dream to play Test cricket for my country.”
The youngster had been impressive in his inaugural Test in Rajkot too, scoring a defiant 46 in the only innings he played.
There is great environment within Indian dressing room exclaims Dhruv Jurel.
With former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar referring to Jurel as the next MS Dhoni, the 23-year-old responded:
“It is quite encouraging to hear good words from Sunil Gavaskar, he is a legend of the game. It is a great environment in the Indian team. They asked me to spend as much time as I could on the wicket.”
Team India will be wary of England’s fightback, given their successful defence of a modest 230 in the opening Test in Hyderabad. Hence, Rohit Sharma and Co. will not take them lightly even as they are 40-0 in pursuit if 192 but would definitely want to go to Dharamshala for final test on 7th March with 3-1 winning lead over England.