Dhruv Jurel gets a bold message from the BCCI with one eye set to be on the upcoming Australia series in November.
On Sunday, the Indian team for the first Test with Bangladesh was revealed. In Chennai, the opening Test of the two-match series will begin on September 19.
Since Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, will be playing his first Test match this series, the roster included a number of surprises. Following severe injuries in a traffic accident in December 2022, Pant has not yet resumed playing for India’s top division.
In addition, rookie pacer Yash Dayal was called up for his first Test match during the series.
Dhruv Jurel made his Test debut for India against England and moreover impressed everyone with his brilliant batting and wicketkeeping skills. In three matches, Jurel scored 190 run, which included a knock of 90.
Seeing his breakthrough performance, the selection committee named Jurel in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. With the likes of Pant and KL Rahul in the squad, Jurel will be the third wicketkeeper.
If India chooses to play with three wicketkeepers in their starting XI, Deep Dasgupta said there won’t be any surprises. He also gave Jurel a lot of respect and described him as a key player for the series against Australia.
“Your XI, Yashasvi and Rohit to open. Thereafter, Shubman at No. 3, Virat Kohli at No. 4. KL Rahul at No. 5. Rishabh Pant at No. 6. Then maybe you can play another batter. 8 and 9 you have Jadeja and Ashwin. And then No. 10 and No. 11, you have two seamers.
“Off late, what I have noticed is that a lot of batters have started bowling in the nets and stuff like that. If you want, you can go in with four bowlers and your part-timers can give you a few overs,” Dasgupta told India Today.
“You can think of someone like Sarfaraz for the middle-order. Even for that matter… Dhruv Jurel batted beautifully. Yeah, I won’t be surprised if Rishabh, Dhruv and KL all three of them play.
“The other thing you have to keep in mind is the Australia series. You can look at other options, but the way Dhruv batted, his composure, I think he is more adept to batting in Australia than the other newcomers,” he added.