Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim expressed surprise at Dhruv Jurel’s batting position on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo. Jurel batted behind all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja at No.7, despite did well in the first Test at No.6 with a first-innings fifty as well.  However, India finished their score of 300/5 at stumps on Day 1. Jurel
finished the day unbeaten on seven from 21 deliveries as well.

Karim said on the Sony Sports Network, “India must look for as big a score as possible to avoid batting again or be in a position to set a huge target if they bat again. I was surprised Dhruv Jurel didn’t come ahead in the batting order. But he is still batting, and there is plenty of batting still there with Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar and hopefully a fit Rishabh Pant. So India should definitely look at a score of around 450.”

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Saba Karim also praised Devdutt Padikkal for his brilliant century in the second Test against Sri Lanka as well. The left-hander starred for India in the series opener, scoring 211 runs across the two innings, including a stunning 167 in the first. He scored 117 off 193 balls on Day 1 of the ongoing Colombo Test.

“He (Padikkal) was the highlight of Day 1. No.3 is a position with many competitors. He has shown he has the technique and the temperament to score big on such surfaces. And at No.3, consistency matters the most, and he’s showing that,” cocnluded Saba Karim.