On Friday, January 12, Indian selectors shocked everyone. How? They chose Dhruv Jurel, a keeper-batter who hasn’t played yet, for the first two Tests against England. Dhruv Jurel, turning 23 soon, is one of three glovemen chosen. KL Rahul and KS Bharat are his team partners.
Dhruv Jurel plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Dhruv Jurel record? Fifteen first-class matches and a total of 790 runs. Dhruv Jurel average? A solid 46.47 with one hundred and five half-centuries. Dhruv Jurel was the wicket-keeper for the India A vs South Africa A unofficial Test in Benoni recently.
Speaking of Ishan Kishan, he performed admirably on his Test debut during the West Indies trip in July 2023. In the second Test in Port of Spain, the left-hander was tidy behind the stumps and scored 25 and 52*.
Ishan Kishan cites personal reasons for leaving Test squad in South Africa
After Kishan, 25, asked and received leave from the Indian Test squad in South Africa, the BCCI granted his plea, claiming personal reasons.
A bit later, it was said that Jharkhand sought a rest due to mental weariness. For several months, he was with the national team but played few games.
The choice to exclude the feisty keeper-batter from the Indian T20I home series against Afghanistan raised some eyebrows. It was said in the media that ill discipline led to his exclusion. Theunderstanding was that selectors were upset. Kishan had been sighted in Dubai at a party with MS Dhoni after he withdrew from the South African Test series. He also took part in a widely-watched TV quiz show later.
Dismissals of Kishan’s absence due to discipline matters were expressed by Team India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid. He addressed this topic before the T20I series against Afghanistan:
“No, absolutely not (no disciplinary issue with Kishan). He has made himself unavailable for selection. I am sure when he is available (for selection), he will play domestic cricket (and comeback). So that was the case.”
Rahul Dravid
However, Kishan is not participating in Jharkhand’s Ranji Trophy 2024 match, which got underway on Friday, January 12. The match is against Maharashtra.
“No, Ishan hasn’t contacted or told us anything about his availability. Whenever he tells us, he will walk into the playing XI,” Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Debasish Chakraborty told PTI.
In the midst of all the controversy surrounding his non-selection, Kishan posted a video of himself practicing and meditating on Instagram on Friday.
There is undoubtedly more to this fascinating tale to come.