Legendary batter AB de Villiers applauded young Indian batter Dhruv Jurel amid the second Test between Sri Lanka and India at Colombo. Jurel scored a stunning hundred in the first innings. Batting at number seven, he remained unbeaten on 115 off 177 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes, helping India reach 503/9 declared as well. AB de Villiers applauded Jurel for his technique and said that he was technically close to being as good as senior batter KL Rahul as well.

“Dhruv Jurel stood out with a fine century. He’s got a really good technique, second to KL Rahul. I think Jurel is another Indian batter with good technique that can last for a long time. He chipped in with a fantastic century in the middle order and maintained the momentum that they needed,” AB de Villiers said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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AB de Villiers also praised Devdutt Padikkal and added that the batter deserved to get a long run from here on. He again shared that Padikkal, who also scored a hundred in the second Test, had proved himself and should be given the opportunity to bat at number three in overseas conditions as well.

“I think Padikkal has done enough to at least get an extended run. See what he’s like over in South Africa, England, and some of the bouncier tracks in Australia. I think he has earned the right to get that challenge as the number three batter in all conditions, and I do think he has got the game to counter whatever comes his way,” AB de Villiers concluded.