Former England captain Alastair Cook commended newcomer Dhruv Jurel for his rapid decision-making abilities and his skill in judging the length of deliveries during the fourth Test in Ranchi.
Dhruv Jurel had a dream outing, playing crucial innings in both innings to help India secure an unassailable 3-1 series lead. In the first innings of the fourth Test in Ranchi, Dhruv Jurel played a remarkable innings, scoring a magnificent 90 to guide India from 161/5 to 307 in response to England’s 353. He continued his heroics in the final innings, scoring an unbeaten 39 as India chased down 192, taking them from 120/5 to a series-clinching victory.
He was so fast at making the right decision- Sir Alastair Cook on Dhruv Jurel
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, former England captain Alastair Cook praised Dhruv Jurel’s batting skills on a challenging wicket during the fourth Test in Ranchi.
What impressed me was how he picked length. He was so fast at making the right decision. You see his trigger movement – this was at the start of the partnership on a wide ball – but he’s so good at getting back and forward and making the right decision at the right time for that ball,” said Cook.
Alastair Cook further highlighted the difference between Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel’s batting styles, he said,
Shubman Gill played slightly differently, he’s not quite as quick on his feet but he’s still a class player but Jurel, he does a little forward press and if he does need to go forward he’s sharp, he’s quick and that little bit more explosion means when he plays a shot he might be able to get a single.”
In the thrilling Test match, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel shared an unbeaten 72-run partnership to secure victory for India from a precarious position of 120/5. Gill played a crucial innings, scoring 52 off 124 balls. Dhruv Jurel’s selection was based on his consistent recent form, and he had previously scored an impressive 46 on his Test debut in the third game in Rajkot.
Jadeja in particular showed probably why he should be batting a little bit lower- Sir Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook explained that Ravindra Jadeja may be better suited to the lower order compared to Dhruv Jurel, highlighting the difference in their ability to balance attack and defense. The star all-rounder scored a game-changing century at No.5 in the third Test, but he struggled to replicate that form in the Ranchi encounter, managing scores of 12 and 4.
Jadeja in particular showed probably why he should be batting a little bit lower. Yes he can score runs but the ability, under pressure, to find that balance between attack and defence under pressure – pressure does funny thing to you. Jadeja is a world-class all-rounder, but batting at five there he struggled in terms of taking no risks because he didn’t want to get out or trying to put a bit of pressure back on as a batter” said Cook.
Alastair Cook added,
But Jurel found that balance perfectly with his feet movement and sharpness of mind. Jadeja was just dead-batting everything, there’s no chance of getting any runs whatsoever. So even when Jurel is defending because he’s so sharp when he’s tucking the ball on the leg-side if it’s perfect he may get a run.” said Cook.
Despite an overall Test batting average of over 36, Ravindra Jadeja has struggled when batting at positions above No. 6, averaging under 24 in those positions. However, his timely batting contributions, combined with his match-winning bowling performances, have propelled him to the status of the World’s No. 1 ranked Test all-rounder.
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