Dhruv Jurel, an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, demonstrated his cricketing instincts on Day 1 of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7. Dhruv Jurel was heard on the stump mic predicting that England hitter Ollie Pope would walk out of his crease, a ball before he was stumped by Kuldeep Yadav.
After winning the toss, England batted first and got off to a strong start, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett (27 off 58) adding 64 runs in 18 overs. At the stroke of noon, the visitors lost their second wicket when Pope (11) came down the track to Kuldeep and was stumped by a googly while playing down the incorrect line.
Just before the dismissal, India’s keeper-batsman anticipated Pope would stroll down the wicket. He was heard chirping ‘badhega aage, badhega aage’ [he is about to walk out]. Dhruv Jurel anticipated that the next ball will send the England right-hander down the wicket and be stumped by the Indian keeper.
After Pope’s dismissal, the tourists went to lunch at 100/2 on Day 1 of the Dharamsala Test.
Earlier, Kuldeep ended the opening partnership by removing Duckett with the last ball of the 18th over. The England left-hander attempted to chase down a tossed-up delivery but only managed to loft the ball. Shubman Gill made a great grab while racing diagonally to his right from cover.
Dhruv Jurel has made an impressive start to his Test career
Dhruv Jurel, 23, has demonstrated maturity much above his years and experience in only his third Test match. He was the Player of the Match in the fourth Test at Ranchi, scoring 90 and 39* as India won the series by five wickets.
In both innings, the teenager walked in with the team under pressure and kept his cool to help India regain control. Dhruv Jurel too hit a patient 46 in his first Test at Rajkot. He has also been quite outstanding with the gloves.