A section of fans has consistently criticised Dhruv Jurel’s presence in the Indian Test team. With Rishabh Pant already being the number one keeper, and deservingly so, Jurel has received flak for not dominating like his peer has. But the Indian management has backed Jurel, playing him as a specialist batter even when Pant’s donning the gloves. Now, Jurel has somewhat silenced his critics after smashing a terrific unbeaten century (141 runs) in the first unofficial Test for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle.
Dhruv Jurel outshines everyone for India A
There is something about Dhruv Jurel and India A cricket. Every time he pulls on that jersey, he seems to remind everyone why selectors rated him so highly in the first place.
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The India A captain once again stood tall in Galle, producing a patient yet commanding unbeaten 131 off 208 balls. Although Jurel has all the capabilities to play those flashy innings, he didn’t this time. Perhaps the slow surface didn’t allow.. Instead, it was the kind of innings that wins the trust of coaches and selectors.
Jurel walked in at No. 5, and India A weren’t in complete control after the early dismissals of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal. He resisted the temptation to force the pace, settled himself, and gradually took charge of the innings. Once he crossed three figures, the shackles came off as he began scoring much more freely.
His 136-run partnership with Sheikh Rashid proved to be the turning point. While Rashid contributed a composed 63, it was Jurel who controlled the stand, rotating strike beautifully and punishing anything loose.
Jurel continues great India A form
What’s making this knock even more significant is Jurel’s history with India A. The last time he represented the side, he hammered 132 and 127 in the same match against South Africa A, finishing with 259 runs at an astonishing average of 259. Now, another century against Sri Lanka A only strengthens the feeling that he reserves some of his best cricket for the India A stage.
With Sai Sudharsan also making a hundred and several Test hopefuls trying to catch the selectors’ eye, Jurel has quietly ensured that his name remains in the conversation. International cricketers should do well in ‘A’ tours and that’s exactly what Sudharsan and Jurel have managed. Last year, Jurel made 197 in three innings at an average of 65.67 in the India A vs Australia A series too.
Why is Jurel important in the Indian Test side?
Jurel doing well for India A isn’t the only reason he should be in India’s Test side. In fact, in an era where the Indian management loves having as many multi-faceted players in the starting XI, Jurel’s inclusions come as exceptions. He doesn’t offer anything with the ball.
But with the Indian Test side going through a transition, you need a stable number six. Hence, Jurel is a perfect option for that spot. Yes, there are consistent run-getters in the domestic circuit, but Jurel pips them in various domains. He can easily bat lower down the order while offering aggressiveness. He has a superb T20 game as well (SR of 155 in the last two IPL years shows that). He’s a superb glovesman too. Despite having a repertoire of attacking strokeplay, Jurel’s greatest asset is his defensive solidity against elite bowling. He neutralises high-quality spin by using vertical bat presentation and deep crease positioning.
The defining moment for Jurel came in his debut series only, when he hit that 90 in Ranchi against England after India were reduced to 177/7. In fact, he won the Player of the Match for that performance. Although a poor home series against South Africa came at an untimely period, Jurel still remains a perfect batting option to bat around Pant.
