Legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble feels rookie wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has the potential to achieve the same levels of success as the legendary MS Dhoni.
Jurel has already made a significant influence on the ongoing Test series against England, collecting the Player of the Match award for his outstanding contributions of 90 and 39* in the Ranchi Test, which helped India win the five-match series 3-1 with one game remaining.
Speaking to Jio Cinema, Kumble described how confident Jurel appeared under immense pressure, as well as the lucidity with which he chose his shots.
“Dhruv Jurel certainly has all the credentials to get to where MS (Dhoni) reached in his career. He’s not just shown the temperament of his technique to defence but even when he’s attacking. Even in that first innings, he was very assured, he went after and then hit those big sixes.”
Anil Kumble
Jurel has also excelled at glovework, earning accolades from renowned Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar. Jurel’s spectacular run-out of Ben Duckett in the third Test in Rajkot persuaded Gavaskar that the kid may be ‘the next MS Dhoni’.
Anil Kumble on Dhruv Jurel’s wicketkeeping
Anil Kumble praised Dhruv Jurel’s glovework, believing the teenager would only improve with more experience. India took a chance on the young keeper in the third Test of the series against England, and Kumble is pleased to see that the decision has found a possible gem for the Test squad in the future.
“He’s (Jurel) been exceptional, especially of the faster bowlers…He’s only going to improve. This is only his second Test and I’m sure as he starts playing more and more he’ll only get better. And it only augers well for India. And to have him in a squad is exceptional.”
Anil Kumble
Since Rishabh Pant’s horrific car accident in December 2022, India has struggled to replace him with a skilled wicketkeeper who is also a reliable batsman.
However, Jurel’s ascent may help India to ease Rishabh Pant back into the Test team as a specialist batsman as soon as he is declared fit.