Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel heaped praise on Dhruv Jurel after the youngster’s composed maiden Test century on Day 2 of India’s first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad.
Patel believes the innings adds weight to Jurel’s case for a regular spot in the India Test XI as a specialist batter, rather than being viewed solely as a backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant.
Jurel had already been in red-hot form before the series, having scored a brilliant century in the first and a match-winning fifty in the second unofficial Test for India A against Australia A in Kanpur. Stepping into the Test XI in place of the injured vice-captain Rishabh Pant, he continued his rich vein of form .
Speaking to Star Sports, Patel, who spent much of his career as a second-choice keeper behind former India captain MS Dhoni, empathised with the pressure Jurel faced and lauded his maturity at the crease.
“And with that, Dhruv Jurel played an important innings. For him, getting that start is crucial, but you always want to convert it into a really big one. He’s a seasoned domestic player and has also been in good form against Australia A, so you would actually expect more from him in a positive way,” Parthiv said.
“That’s the expectation, but I still feel this was an important innings for him. As a second wicketkeeper, I can totally understand that you don’t get opportunities too often, and whenever they come, you want to make them count in a big way. I think he’s still pushing for a spot as a pure batter as well, because whenever he gets the chance, he makes the most of it,” he added.
Jurel’s innings featured a crucial and attacking 207-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who also reached a hundred by stumps on Day 2, building on to give India a commanding 286-run lead by stumps.
Jurel capped his milestone with a touching celebration, paying tribute to his father Nem Chand, a war veteran. The guard-of-honour style gesture reflected a deeply personal moment, with the young wicketkeeper beaming with pride.
The 24-year-old’s innings, which included 15 fours and three sixes, also saw him become the second wicketkeeper to score a Test century in Ahmedabad, joining the elite company of former India skipper MS Dhoni, current vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and Sri Lanka’s Prasanna Jayawardene.
While Pant’s return date remains uncertain, Jurel is making the most of this opportunity. His fiery 125-run knock is sure to boost his case for a regular place in India’s Test side, cementing his credentials as a pure-batter in the India XI, even for the future.