Published: Feb 16, 2024, 01:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 16, 2024, 01:49 PM (IST)
IND VS ENG: On Dhruv Jurel’s international debut, he found ample inspiration, motivation, and challenge within his own team. His fellow debutant, Sarfaraz Khan, had already left a significant impression in the third Test against England in Rajkot, scoring a remarkable 62 runs off 66 balls. Sarfaraz appeared poised to achieve his maiden century if not for an unfortunate run-out due to a misunderstanding with Ravindra Jadeja. As Sarfaraz departed towards the end of the day’s play, India opted to send in nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav instead of Jurel.
Kuldeep’s innings on Day 2 was brief, ending with his dismissal by James Anderson, paving the way for Jurel to enter the crease. Although it took him 11 deliveries to register his first runs in Test cricket, in the preceding 10 balls, as described by former England opener Nick Knight, “he appeared to possess batting prowess.” Jurel faced Anderson and Wood with notable composure.
After facing 10 consecutive dot balls, Jurel finally managed to score off his next three deliveries. The first two resulted in singles, but it was the third shot that dispelled any doubts about his ability at the international level, if there were any to begin with.
Mark Wood, who had been one of England’s standout bowlers in the Test match, delivered a bouncer clocking in at 146 km/h to Jurel. However, unlike Wood’s typical bouncers, this one was directed just outside the off stump. Instead of being unsettled by it or attempting to leave it for the wicketkeeper, Jurel recognized it as an opportunity to score. He subtly leaned back, opened the face of his bat, and skillfully guided the ball over the slips. The timing was impeccable, resulting in the ball sailing over the boundary for a six. Jurel’s first boundary in international cricket came off a 146 km/h bouncer from Mark Wood.
Jurel managed to find another boundary off Wood’s bowling when the latter attempted to trap him with a leg-side field. Additionally, he executed a well-executed cut shot off Tom Hartley in the last over before lunch.
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At the end of the first session, Jurel remained unbeaten on 31 runs, with Ravichandran Ashwin on 25 runs at the other end, as India reached a total of 388/7. Overnight centurion Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 112 runs from 225 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes, couldn’t add much to his tally and was dismissed after playing a shot back to England part-timer Joe Root, resulting in a simple return catch.
As Jadeja aimed to play the ball towards the leg side, the face of his bat angled inwards towards his pads, leading to Root taking a sharp catch over his shoulders. While Jadeja’s dismissal did momentarily set back India, Jurel and Ashwin ensured that the hosts maintained hope of achieving a substantial first-innings total.
