Sunil Gavaskar gave Jurel the highest-ever compliments after his inspirational knock in Ranchi, drawing comparisons to MS Dhoni.
Dhruv Jurel’s crucial knock of 90 runs against the England spinners on a challenging track will emerge as one of the main reasons behind the victory if Team India chases down 192 in Ranchi against England on Monday, their first successful fourth-innings chase of more than 150 runs since the heroics in Gabba in 2021. As the fractures began to show and India’s tail was exposed, Jurel crafted a mature innings that not only cut India’s deficit from 134 runs at the beginning of Day 3 to just 46 runs, but also brought him the highest praise he has ever received from former captain Sunil Gavaskar, who likened him to MS Dhoni. With a broad grin on their faces, India concluded Day 3 by responding to Gavaskar’s exalted remarks.
After the spin twins, Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley, wrecked havoc against the Indian top order on Saturday, England appeared set to take a commanding lead in Ranchi. But after Jurel and India’s No. 9 Kuldeep Yadav put up a strong 76-run partnership that had the English camp unhappy, the wicketkeeper-batter turned things around to reach his first fifty and then push for the huge triple-figure total. While providing analysis, Gavaskar likened Jurel’s game knowledge to that of the renowned Dhoni on his way to the inspirational knock. Furthermore, it wasn’t the result of the fourth Test’s batting alone. Jurel’s wicketkeeping also much pleased Gavaskar, which made the legendary Indian batsman believe that the young player “is another MS Dhoni in the process of creating.
“He has batted brilliantly, of course, but he has also excelled at keeping wicket and working behind the wickets. I think he has the potential to be another MS Dhoni based just on his understanding of the game. I am aware that there will never be another MSD, but you are aware of his mentality—MSD was there from the beginning. Jurel is also aware of the game. Streetwise cricketer,” remarked Gavaskar.
Upon learning of Gavaskar’s remarks during the JSCA International Stadium press conference, Jurel initially expressed his satisfaction with the Dhoni parallels before disclosing that the team management had not provided any explicit guidance on how to approach the play.
“Obviously, it feels good to hear a legend like Sunil Gavaskar talk about me,” he remarked. There were no clear directions other than to go outside and play, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Play while keeping an eye on the ball. Simply said, it gets better the longer I play.”
Jurel acknowledged that his incredible efforts were worthy of a century, but he expressed no remorse for missing the big score.
“I don’t feel at all bad about not making the hundred. As this is my first Test series, I’m merely itching to have this trophy in my hands. Playing for India in Test matches has always been a boyhood ambition, he continued.