Latest news with #Jurel
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Mauka milega, ready rehna': What coach Gautam Gambhir told Dhruv Jurel during England Test series
Dhruv Jurel has twice played in the India-England series as a stand-in wicketkeeper. That will change for the fifth Test at The Oval. NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant injured? No problem. Dhruv Jurel is ready. One signal from coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill , and the youngster was back behind the stumps — as a substitute wicketkeeper. This happened not once, but twice in the series — first in the third Test at Lord's, and then again in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. But the fifth and final Test at The Oval, starting Thursday, will be a special one for Jurel. Gautam Gambhir fiery press conference: Slams critics, big update on Jasprit Bumrah, Karun vs Sai Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 'substitute' tag will no longer appear alongside his name. This time, he will be one of the XI players taking the field — and batting — for India in the series finale against England. Rishabh Pant, the regular wicketkeeper, sustained a foot fracture. Jurel came into the England series in excellent form, having scored three consecutive fifty-plus scores for India A against the England Lions in unofficial Tests. Jurel's childhood coach, Parvendra Yadav, credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for backing the young keeper throughout the series. He praised Jurel's never-say-no attitude and hinted that Gambhir had already indicated the youngster could feature at a point. "That's unfortunate news that Pant is not there. Jurel has already been tested in the series with the gloves and has scored valuable runs, so it's going to be a good opportunity for Dhruv. Gambhir has spoken to him and is impressed with his keeping. 'Mauka milega, ready rehna' — is what Gambhir told him," Parvendra told by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best SIP Plans for NRIs in Ukraine – Get ₹2L Monthly Pension | Invest ₹18K PB Learn More Undo . "Gambhir had a brief chat with him. He motivated him a lot. In fact, he told him, 'You will be the backbone of India's middle order.' 'Jab mauka mile, do better' — that's what Gambhir said to him. Gambhir hailed him and said, 'Acha keeping kiya.' He says every single member of the team is supportive and helpful. 'Mauka milega zarur, intezar karo, keep working hard,'" the coach added. Gautam Gambhir had a brief chat with him. He motivated him a lot. He told him, 'You will be the backbone of India's middle order', Jab mauka mile, do better', 'Acha keeping kiya.' Dhruv Jurel's childhood coach Parvendra Yadav "Gambhir said, 'Dhruv, you have the capability to bat from the No. 5 to No. 8 positions.' It's a challenging role, especially when the team is in deep trouble or needs runs. Coach saab taught him how to prepare for different batting positions. He is learning and applying everything in his game," Jurel's coach added. Twice in the series, Jurel was asked to don the wicketkeeping gloves. In the third Test he took three catches. In the fourth Test, he displayed sharp reflexes behind the stumps, effecting two stumpings and taking two catches. "He is close to Shubman Gill. He has played cricket with Shubman. They know each other really well. Shubman backs him. A young captain knows his teammates' strengths," the coach said. Jurel, who made his Test debut under Rohit Sharma's captaincy against England last year, has played four Tests so far, scoring 202 runs at an average of 40.40. The 24-year-old made headlines with a gritty 90-run knock against England in Ranchi last year — a performance that firmly established him as one of India's brightest future prospects. "When I spoke to him, I just said, 'Mauka mila hai to isko pakad ke rakhna hai.' He never says no to anything. He has been keeping really well in the series. He always praises Rohit Sharma. He said, 'Rohit bhaiya to bilkul alag hain.' He keeps the dressing room alive and injects energy into the team. He said he learns a lot from Rohit. Rohit is the one who told him to be fearless. 'Tension mat lena, bilkul bindaas khel, main hoon yaha pe' — these were Rohit's words to him. Pehla Test kuch nahi hota, har Test pehla aur aakhri hota hai. Then he went on to score 90-odd runs in the match," Parvendra said. "He told me that now he doesn't feel like a newcomer in the team, and all the credit goes to Rohit bhayya," the coach added. Dhruv Jurel (Getty Images) "Pant has also motivated him a lot. In fact, during the series, he sat with Pant and took some keeping tips. He has passed on his keeping skills to him. Not just Pant — his meetings with MS Dhoni have changed his life. Dhoni told him to keep a 360-degree angle. How to maintain a 360-degree view — that's what he learnt from Dhoni," he said. Now, Jurel is set to make his mark — not as a stand-in, but as a member of India's playing XI. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Deccan Herald
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
Kotak backs Dhruv Jurel to come good with batting
Son of a Kargil war veteran, the 24-year-old Jurel who too wanted to join the Indian Army before finding his calling in cricket, donned the gloves as a substitute for Pant in the Lord's Test after the maverick hurt his left index finger in the first innings.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Tough to join mid-game': Ajinkya Rahane on Dhruv Jurel ahead of fifth Test at The Oval
Dhruv Jurel (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: India's veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane praised young wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel for taking on the wicketkeeping responsibilities during the fourth Test against England after vice-captain Rishabh Pant suffered an injury while batting. Pant fractured his toe on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. Rahane, who is currently in England, took to 'X' (formerly Twitter) to commend Jurel for his performance, calling it one of the toughest tasks in the game. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "It's tough to join as a wicket-keeper mid-game, but Dhruv Jurel stepped in and did a really solid job. Full credit to him," Rahane posted. Speaking further on the challenge, Rahane highlighted the difficulty of adapting mid-match, especially in English conditions. "When you are sitting outside, when you are watching the game and suddenly you have to come inside and do the wicket keeping, which I feel in England is the most toughest job. I thought he did that really well. He was really calm behind the wicket. He was composed. I thought his suggestions to the players, KL Rahul and also for the captain were really amazing." This was the second time in the ongoing series that Jurel was asked to don the gloves. In the third Test, Pant had also sustained a finger injury while attempting to stop a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Jurel had then stepped in to keep wickets in his absence. IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir loses cool during heated exchange with ground staff at The Oval ahead of 5th Test Following the conclusion of the fourth Test, which ended in a draw, the BCCI confirmed that Pant had been ruled out of the remainder of the series. Narayan Jagadeesan was named as his replacement in the squad. Given Jurel's recent experience behind the stumps, he is likely to feature in the playing XI for the fifth and final Test. The final Test will be held from July 31 to August 4 at The Oval in London. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Long wait could be over for Jurel at Old Trafford
Dhruv Jurel isn't quite expressive. He is calm, though not often quiet. He comes with a positive mindset, and is always ready to put in the hard yards. The son of an army man, he focuses on 'process' and 'discipline'. Those two words, he believes, have helped him grow as a cricketer. In a competitive environment, where opportunity doesn't come easy, long waits may often make or break careers, and for Jurel, it has been a long eight-month wait since his last Test outing in Perth last November. But the 24-year-old has taken it in his stride. Ever since landing in England a couple of months ago, Jurel has featured in just two games for India-A, where he scored 227 runs in four innings and claimed seven catches. But in the senior team, Jurel has been under the shadow of Rishabh Pant, the team's vice-captain and the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. While Pant featured in all three Tests in the series so far, Jurel worked closely with fielding coach T. Dilip and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak over the last several weeks to make sure he remains fit and in the groove. When India had a long session at Beckenham earlier this week, Jurel was among the first few batters to have a long session in the nets. As bowling coach Morne Morkel aimed at Jurel's stumps to test his outside edge, the youngster remained unperturbed and looked confident throughout. And as India gears up for the must-win fourth Test at Old Trafford, India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate indicated that if Pant, who hurt his left index finger during the Lord's Test, isn't ready to keep the wickets, India could look at Jurel. In that case, Pant could be used as a specialist batter. Jurel, being a steady middle-order batter, could also add depth to the batting department. However, if both Jurel and Pant end up playing together, it would be a selection headache for the team management. But sources indicated that Pant will be monitored over the next couple of days before taking a call. 'We don't want to go through that again where we have to replace the keeper halfway through in the innings. We are just trying to give (Pant's finger) as long as possible (to heal), and hopefully he's good to go in Manchester in the first training session,' Doeschate said, adding: 'Jurel is in the equation.' In the previous Test, Jurel came in as Pant's substitute after the latter hurt his finger, and ended up conceding 25 byes in the second innings, as India went down by 22 runs to concede a 1-2 lead in the five-match series. But it's not just Jurel, several wicket-keepers have struggled in England where the ball wobbles a lot once it goes past the batter. Despite earning praise from the cricketing fraternity, it has still been a long wait for Jurel. But now, with the series on the line and the team management not willing to risk Pant, he could just get lucky.
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Business Standard
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
How Jurel is pushing for 4th Test inclusion following Pant's injury setback
Dhruv Jurel was thrust into the spotlight during the third Test at Lord's when Rishabh Pant suffered a painful blow to his left index finger while attempting to collect a leg-side delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Unable to continue as wicketkeeper, Pant remained on the field as a specialist batter, but it was Jurel who took over the gloves. It wasn't a planned debut behind the stumps in England, but rather one prompted by circumstance. However, it gave the team management, including assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, a closer look at Jurel in action at the highest level. Ten Doeschate hinted that if Pant doesn't recover in time for the Old Trafford Test, Jurel is next in line and remains a 'viable option' due to his composure, training ethic, and readiness to step up when needed. Crafted Through Grit and Opportunity At training on Thursday at Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, Jurel made a strong impression with both bat and glove. The air was filled with the repetitive 'tuck' of bat meeting ball, as he sent deliveries soaring into the quiet stands beyond long-on and cow corner. Sporting a snug white T-shirt under his India training vest, Jurel looked full of energy. He was tested in a high-intensity net session by bowling coach Morne Morkel, who reduced his run-up and hurled deliveries to test Jurel's technique and reaction time. The young wicketkeeper-batter remained composed, defending solidly and maintaining an assured stance throughout. This is where Jurel thrives—under pressure—and the session seemed to showcase why coaches see so much potential in him. Proving His Mettle in High-Pressure Situations Jurel's confidence and discipline, often attributed to his upbringing as the son of a former army officer, have become a cornerstone of his game. He walks tall, bats with focus, and understands the value of calculated aggression. His knock of 90 in the Ranchi Test earlier this year against England stands as a testament to his maturity. On a pitch that turned significantly and undermined most batters, Jurel showcased not just survival instincts but also flair. With India's tail for company, he took calculated risks—slogging when in control and sweeping anything pitched on leg stump. His innings turned the game on its head and earned him his first Player-of-the-Match award, further cementing his case as more than just a reserve option. Momentum from England A Tour and Home Successes Jurel's rise hasn't come in isolation. Leading into this series, he had already made a mark in the two unofficial Tests for India A against England Lions in June. He notched up three half-centuries in varying conditions, adjusting his approach based on the surface and match situation. At Canterbury, where runs came easily, he built fluently. In contrast, challenging overcast skies and swing-friendly conditions in the second game demanded patience, which he displayed impressively during a crucial fifty-run partnership with KL Rahul. These performances, backed by his impactful knocks in Australia during the warm-up games ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year, have made Jurel a consistent performer in the shadows of India's star-studded squad. Competition and Conundrum within the XI Despite his form and temperament, Jurel didn't feature in the initial three Tests of the England tour, as Pant remained the preferred gloveman and the team leaned on balance—opting for versatile all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Pant, even while managing his injured finger, offers so much batting depth that India was reluctant to tinker. However, now that the injury threatens his ability to keep wickets, a reshuffle is possible. The decision isn't straightforward. If Jurel plays as keeper and Pant transitions into a pure batting role, the management will likely have to bench one of the existing XI. It's selection headaches like these that separate good teams from great ones—and Jurel is firmly in the mix. What the Experts Say Dinesh Karthik, part of the commentary panel during the Lord's Test, praised Jurel's natural wicketkeeping instincts. He noted that Jurel's stance, movement, and glove work were sound, especially his effort to claim a sharp catch off Ollie Pope standing up to Ravindra Jadeja. These sentiments were echoed by fielding coach T Dilip, who worked with Jurel during keeping drills on Thursday. Dilip emphasised the importance of positioning and balance while collecting the ball in line with the body—both areas where Jurel impressed. The India management sees his commitment to the craft and his growing comfort under pressure as vital assets, especially if the injury forces Pant into a non-keeping role. Possible Changes for the Old Trafford Showdown If Pant is unable to resume wicketkeeping duties in the fourth Test, India may need to reshuffle their XI. Karun Nair, who has not made a significant impact despite multiple opportunities, could be the one to make way. However, his place at No. 3 may still be valued due to limited alternatives suited to that position. Washington Sundar has impressed with his spin bowling and will look to retain his spot, especially as Old Trafford is known to support turn and bounce. That leaves Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has contributed with the ball but hasn't found form with the bat so far on this tour. Coaches will have a tough time picking the optimal combination, but Jurel's inclusion gives flexibility—especially if Pant must be managed carefully.
