Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is set to make his fifth Test appearance for India, stepping into the playing XI for the crucial fifth and final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. The opportunity has come in the wake of Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate toe fracture, sustained while batting during the fourth Test in Manchester, effectively ruling the vice-captain out of the remainder of the series.
Jurel, 24, made his Test debut earlier this year during the home series against England when Pant was still recovering from his earlier injuries. He featured in three of the five Tests in that series and later found a place as a specialist batter in the Perth Test against Australia, even when Pant was part of the squad.
Now, with Pant’s England tour cut short, Jurel will add another Test to his growing resume, this time in challenging overseas conditions. Although this will be Jurel’s first official Test in England, it’s not his first appearance on English soil in this series. He briefly took the field during the third Test at Lord’s, replacing Pant behind the stumps after the latter injured his finger while collecting a Jasprit Bumrah delivery.
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Dhruv Jurel was also called upon again in Manchester when Pant was struck on the foot attempting a reverse sweep. For Jurel, keeping at the Lord’s was a dream come true.
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In a video released by the BCCI, he said, “First of all, what happened with Rishabh bhaiya was very unfortunate. But when I went in to keep the wickets, it was a dream come true. Since childhood, I’ve dreamt of playing at Lord’s. I just wanted to feel the moment — it was special.”
Jurel also credited Pant for offering valuable insights. “Rishabh bhaiya is a senior and experienced player. He guided me on positioning and footwork — little things that I’ve been working on with Dilip sir (fielding coach).”
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With India trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, the upcoming Test is a must-win. Jurel is keen to rise to the occasion. “When you perform overseas, it’s always special. People rate you higher. I just want to go out, express myself, and contribute to the team’s success,” he said. Summing up his mindset, Jurel added, “A true team man is someone who, whether playing or not, finds a way to help the team win. That’s what I want to be — someone who does that one thing that makes a difference.”
