India found themselves in a precarious position at 177/7 in the first innings of the ongoing Ranchi Test against England. A big first-innings lead for the visitors seemed inevitable. However, young batter Dhruv Jurel and spinner Kuldeep Yadav stepped up with a crucial 76-run partnership for the eighth wicket, bringing India back into the game.
Jurel, playing only his second Test, batted with maturity and scored a valiant 90 runs, narrowly missing out on his maiden century. Kuldeep, known primarily for his bowling, played a crucial supporting role, consuming 131 deliveries and contributing 28 runs. Their partnership provided much-needed momentum for the lower order and helped India reach a respectable total of 307 runs.
Jurel’s celebration after reaching his fifty, a salute dedicated to his father, a Kargil war veteran, resonated with many. Kuldeep, Jurel’s teammate from Uttar Pradesh, spoke highly of his batting temperament and expressed his belief in Jurel’s abilities.
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“I think his dad was in the army, so he dedicated his fifty to him,” Kuldeep Yadav said in a BCCI video. “He remains calm and relaxed if you keep talking to him while batting. I had a lot of belief in him because I had played with him previously and know how he bats.”
Kuldeep Yadav 🤝 Dhruv Jurel
A bond beyond landmarks 🤗#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @imkuldeep18 | @dhruvjurel21 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/XgD8APaGYJ
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 26, 2024
Kuldeep’s bowling prowess came to the fore in the second innings. He picked up four crucial wickets, alongside Ravichandran Ashwin’s five-wicket haul, as England were bundled out for a mere 145 runs. While expressing his desire to complete a five-wicket haul, Kuldeep acknowledged the significance of his four wickets in restricting England’s lead.
“He plays for my state, Uttar Pradesh,” he added. “I thought he would get to his century, but he still played a crucial knock for the team.”
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With a target of 192 runs set for victory, India began their chase cautiously. Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal batted comfortably through the final eight overs of Day 3, leaving them needing 152 runs to win the Test and take a crucial series lead with one match remaining.
