Dhruv Jurel's stocks at an all-time high after Australian captain endorses India selection

Former Australia captain Tim Paine is highly impressed with the young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel after his spectacular performances for India A against Australia A in the unofficial Test series.

Paine claimed that Jurel is going to make a mark in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy and feels that his batting form will get him into India's Playing XI. Jurel smashed two brilliant half-centuries during the second unofficial Test against Australia A.

The wicketkeeper-batter scored 80 and 68 across two innings when the other batters were struggling to stay on the wicket. His batting skills make him a potential middle-order option for India for the first Test in Perth.

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Tim Paine wants Dhruv Jurel to play in BGT 2024-25

While speaking on SEN Tassie, Tim Paine lauded Dhruv Jurel after his impressive performances with the bat against Australia A in the second unofficial Test. He backed Jurel to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after India's recent failures with the bat.

“There’s a guy who has wicket kept in a few Test matches for India. He averages 63 out of the three Tests he’s played, and his name is Dhruv Jurel," Paine said.

“I don’t know if you saw much of the highlights, but after seeing him bat (against Australia A) – even though he’s a wicketkeeper, from what I’ve seen on this tour and from India’s batting in the last couple of months, I’d be staggered if he doesn’t play," he added.

Dhruv Jurel Test numbers

Dhruv Jurel has played three Tests for India earlier this year against England. He has been extremely impressive and was even adjudged the Player of the Match in just his second Test match.

Jurel showed excellent temperament in all the Tests he has played so far. The 23-year-old has scored 190 runs at an average of 63.33. His ability to play the ball late makes him a useful batter in all the conditions. Adding to his batting, he is a fine gloveman as well.

"He’s going to impress a lot of Australian fans" - Tim Paine on Dhruv Jurel

Further praising the youngster, Tim Paine claimed that Jurel played one of the most polished knocks against Australia A that he has ever seen. He backed the youngster to play the legendary fast bowling line-up of Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins.

“He scored one of the more polished 80s I’ve seen, and we were all sitting around as staff of Cricket Australia and thought, ‘Wow, this guy can seriously play’. Keep an eye out for him this summer. I think he’s going to impress a lot of Australian fans," Paine noted.

“Even though it’s going to be another step up against the big three (Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood), he looks like he has the game to play Test cricket,” he added.

Dhruv Jurel has been picked as the second wicketkeeper in India's squad after Rishabh Pant. While Pant is guaranteed to be a part of India's Playing XI for the first Test, Jurel could also get a chance as a pure batter.

Sarfaraz Khan did not have a great time in the last two Tests against New Zealand which could work against his favor. The Indian team management is likely to decide during the match simulation ahead of the first Test at Perth.