Dhruv Jurel or Rishabh Pant? BCCI official reveals India's first choice wicketkeeper in Tests

Dhruv Jurel has announced his arrival in Test cricket in style. The wicketkeeper-batsman was a surprise inclusion in India’s Test squad for the ongoing series against England and he has justified the selectors’ faith in him.

After failing to find a spot in the playing eleven for the first two Tests, he made his debut in the third Test in Rajkot and made an instant impact.

In his maiden Test innings, he scored 46 runs to help India cross the 400-run mark. In the fourth Test, he starred with the bat as India beat England by five wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

The right-handed batsman was adjudged the Player of the Match for his starring performances with the bat in both innings. In the first innings, India were reeling at 177 for 7 in reply to England’s first innings total of 353. Dhruv Jurel went on to score 90 runs to help the team post 307.

In the second innings, India were in a precarious position while chasing 192 on a tough pitch. They were reeling at 120 for 5 when Dhruv Jurel joined Shubman Gill in the middle.

He went on to share an unbeaten stand of 72 runs with Gill to take India home. More than the runs, the wicketkeeper-batsman has been praised for his composure and temperament and has been backed by many to have a bright future in international cricket.

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Dhruv Jurel or Rishabh Pant?

With Dhruv Jurel performing so well under pressure, the team management could have a big headache when Rishabh Pant returns to the team. The Delhi star is set to return to action next month when the IPL gets underway and is likely to be a part of India’s next Test assignment.

While only time will tell who gets the nod as the wicketkeeper in the playing eleven, the Telegraph has reported that both the players can play together although Dhruv Jurel is likely to play as a specialist batter.

“You never know… Even after Rishabh Pant’s return, Jurel could still retain his place in the XI as a specialist batter. He has proved he can be an asset to the team just as a batsman too,” a BCCI insider told the news outlet.

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