London: Dhruv Jurel will have big shoes to fill come Thursday when he will replace the injured Rishabh Pant for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and batting coach Siitanshu Kotak was optimistic the Uttar Pradesh stumper will step up like he’s done in the past.
Son of a Kargil war veteran, the 24-year-old Jurel who too wanted to join the Indian Army before finding his calling in cricket, donned the gloves as a substitute for Pant in the Lord’s Test after the maverick hurt his left index finger in the first innings. He did a good job in that game, pulling off three catches on a sluggish wicket.
Jurel was summoned again for the fourth Test in Manchester when Pant fractured his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. The youngster, who has played four Tests so far and emerged as the rightful understudy to Pant, shone with his glove work there too, effecting two stumpings and taking as many catches. Jurel, who averages 40.40 in six innings, will, however, be burdened with extra responsibilities at The Oval, and Kotak is confident about the UP cricketer shining.
“Particularly about Dhruv, he’s a very talented player. He has already played and performed for India. So they all keep preparing that at any stage, any injuries, any requirement, they should be ready to play. And I think he’s in the same mindset,” said Kotak.
“One plus thing is because Rishabh got hit on the finger at Lord’s, he kept well because the ball was up and down. And then the next game, again, because Rishabh got hit on the foot, so he kept. So the keeping side, he has already done it for long enough. The batting, I think he’s prepared, he’s ready, and he’s very, very talented. So he’ll try and do his best, there’s no doubt.”