India’s new player, Dhruv Jurel, had a strong first game in international cricket. He scored 46 important runs in his first innings of the third Test versus England in Rajkot on February 16th. The wicket-keeper batsman got the chance to bat at position No. 8 when Kuldeep Yadav got out early on Day 2. His performance greatly contributed to India’s big score.
Dhruv Jurel got his fair share of luck, being dropped twice throughout his innings, but overall he looked in command. He formed a vital partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin for the eighth wicket, which helped India cross the 400-run milestone for the innings.
The debutant had to wait a while to get off the mark, but once he did, the runs kept coming as he rotated strike and struck the occasional boundary. He started his innings with a superb ramp shot off Mark Wood.
Dhruv Jurel’s innings came to an end in the 124th over as he attempted to cut Rehan Ahmed through the off side, only to produce an outside edge that Foakes claimed magnificently behind the stumps.
Fans on social media praised the debutant’s batting performance, giving him an early lead against KS Bharat, at least in one area. Here are some reactions on Twitter:
Dhruv Jurel’s cameo boosts India’s total to 450 in 3rd Test
Team India had a disastrous start to Day 2 after losing Kuldeep Yadav and centurion Ravindra Jadeja in short succession in the early rounds. England wanted to bowl India out for less than 400 runs, but Dhruv Jurel and Ashwin provided resistance with a 77-run partnership.
As of writing, India’s final wicket combo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are still holding on, with the score at 436-9 after 129 overs, midway through the second session of Day 2.
After impressing the fans with his batting, Dhruv Jurel will need to be similarly adept with the gloves to maintain his spot as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the time being. He makes his debut with little first-class experience, but he has a fantastic opportunity.