In the match between India A and Australia A, Dhruv Jurel showed great composure and dexterity to score a gutsy half-century in the face of crisis. India A slipped to 11/4, thanks to a fiery spell from Michael Neser who relished the bouncy conditions. Jurel then combined well with Nitish Reddy, and helped India post 161 in the first innings.
With this innings, Jurel has strengthened his case to make a cut in the playing XI when Rohit Sharma's men tour Australia for a five-match series. Jurel was also a part of the Indian squad that was handed a 3-0 thrashing by New Zealand, but he didn't play in any of the games. As India look to rise from the ashes of home defeat, one thing they can't compromise on is their batting order, which collapsed like a deck of cards against New Zealand.
Son of A Kargil War Veteran
Jurel is the son of Nem Chand, a retired Havildar and a veteran of the Kargil war who took voluntary retirement in 2008. He left home in Agra to pursue his cricketing goals at the tender age of 14. He joined a cricket coaching in Noida, and slowly made his way to the state's team in the Ranji Trophy. Years of toil and run-making proficiency earned him a place in the Indian team, and he hasn't disappointed so far.
Will Dhruv Jurel Replace KL Rahul?
If today's performance is anything to go by, Jurel is likely to make his way into the playing XI, ahead of KL Rahul. When Scott Boland and Michael Neser were wreaking havoc in the opening hours, Jurel was the only player who looked comfortable riding on the bounce. KL Rahul, meanwhile, returned cheaply again, and has failed to put on a consistent performance in the last few matches.
When Did Dhruv Jurel Make His Test Debut?
When Rishabh Pant was sidelined after suffering a horrific accident, the Indian management turned their eyes on Jurel, who had been among the most prolific wicket-keeping batters in the domestic circuit. Jurel showed great ability behind the stumps, and also played a crucial role in Ranchi Test, where he lifted the team from 177-7 to 307 through his valiant rearguard effort. In three matches, Jurel compiled 190 runs at an average of 63.
Dhruv Jurel’s Domestic Record
In 20 first-class matches, Dhruv Jurel has amassed 1075 runs at an average of 46, which includes seven half-centuries and a century. He has been a constant presence in India A matches, and has performed fairly well there too. Jurel is a middle-order batter who likes to bide his team on the crease, and once his eyes are set, he can take on bowlers, spinners or pacers, with ease. His knock of 90 against England exemplified his ability to play with lower-order batters.
