India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is under pressure to deliver with the bat after a string of modest performances across formats. According to a report in The Times of India, the Indian team management has asked Jurel to improve his Test batting if he wants to remain in contention for a place in the playing XI. Jurel made a strong statement with a century against the West Indies in October, scoring 125.
However, his returns since then have been inconsistent, with scores of 44, 6*, 14, 13, 0, 2 and 19. The sequence has raised concerns within the team management, particularly over the manner in which the young batter has surrendered his wicket.
Jurel is expected to feature in India’s XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. However, the emergence of Sarfaraz Khan has increased competition for a place in the middle order. Jurel will be aware that another series of low scores could put his position at risk.
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The report claims the team management was disappointed with his performances in Kolkata and Guwahati and made it clear that he needs to improve his batting to continue being considered as a specialist batter. His subsequent white-ball commitments, IPL campaign, and appearance in the one-off Test against Afghanistan did little to change the situation, with Jurel managing only 19 runs in the Test.
🚨 SLIP PRACTICE TODAY!
– KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel & Sarfaraz Khan were spotted doing slip-catching practice today (Sahil Malhotra)#TeamIndia #Cricket #KLRahul #Jaiswal #SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/EhwEvM9bkd
— KUMAR (@kumarupdate9) August 13, 2026
Despite receiving significant backing from the selectors and team management over the past two years, Jurel is yet to establish himself as a regular member of India’s Test playing XI. Rishabh Pant remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, meaning Jurel’s route into the team increasingly depends on his ability to contribute as a specialist batter.
With India looking for a right-handed option in the middle order and the management reportedly unwilling to revisit Karun Nair, Jurel remains one of the leading candidates for an extended run.
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The upcoming Galle Test could therefore be crucial for Jurel. A substantial contribution against Sri Lanka would help him silence doubts, strengthen his position and justify the faith shown in him by India’s selectors.
