'Dhruv Jurel would’ve scored runs in BGT if...' - Aakash Chopra makes Gambhir, Rohit regret

Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that the young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel would have scored runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy had he played all the Tests of the series.

While Chopra reserved high praises for Dhruv Jurel, he surprisingly picked Riyan Parag as India's future in Test cricket. Parag is yet to make his Test debut despite having played ODIs and T20Is.

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Aakash Chopra reserves high praise for Dhruv Jurel

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra hailed Dhruv Jurel and claimed that he can play as a specialist batter as well. Chopra reminded how Jurel scored runs for India A in an unofficial Test before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when the other batters were struggling for runs.

"What about Dhruv Jurel? They have already started investing in Dhruv Jurel. He is a quality player and can actually play as a batter also. He is just 23. When everyone was struggling for India A, how well he batted. It's not easy to bat like that on Australian pitches," Chopra noted.

The former India opener is convinced that Jurel would have scored big runs if he had played all the matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He also compared Jurel's fighting spirit to that of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was highly impressive in the Test series in Australia.

"I am absolutely convinced he would have scored runs if he had played all Tests, in case he had played after Perth also. He has the fight like you see in Nitish Kumar Reddy. It's not tangible but Dhruv Jurel has something. He has got that thing," he added.

Dhruv Jurel's brief Test career

Dhruv Jurel has played four Tests and scored 202 runs at an average of 40.40. He made his Test debut against England in the home Test series in early 2024. Jurel emerged as the Player of the Match in just his second Test as he helped India clinch a series win.

However, he was benched after India opted to play Rishabh Pant when he got available. Jurel also played in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but as a specialist batter. However, he couldn't register any significant score in the match.

Aakash Chopra picks Riyan Parag as India's future in Tests

While speaking further on his channel, Aakash Chopra picked a surprise name in the form of Riyan Parag to do well for India in Test cricket. Chopra reminded the viewers of Parag's excellent numbers in first-class cricket and backed him to score runs for India.

"Let me just throw one name and I would want you to tell me whether it's right or wrong. Should he be thought about at all? His name is Riyan Parag. Interesting name. Completely out-of-the-box name," Chopra observed.

"He does well for Assam but when he does well for Assam, especially in four-day cricket, you have to take it with a pinch of salt because he is going to score runs where Assam plays cricket and the huge role he has in that team," the former India batter added.

Riyan Parag has a fantastic first-class record while playing for Assam in the last few years. Overall, he has scored 1991 runs in 32 first-class matches with 3 hundreds and 12 fifties. He has also picked up 51 wickets with his off-spin bowling.