IND vs ENG: "What Should Sarfaraz Khan Do?" - Aakash Chopra Questions Dhruv Jurel's Test Selection
Updated - 15 Jan 2024, 12:03 PM
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Renowned commentator Aakash Chopra raised questions about Dhruv Jurel’s selection ahead of players like Sarfaraz Khan and Ishan Kishan. Aakash Chopra emphasized that Dhruv Jurel played only a few first-class matches before earning a spot in the senior squad.
Dhruv Jurel earned his maiden call-up as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming first two Tests against England. The Indian Test squad includes three wicketkeeper batters, including Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul and KS Bharat.
Jurel is currently with the India A team and demonstrated his form in a 2-day warm-up match against the England Lions. In the game that ended in a draw, he achieved a 38-ball half-century. He recently scored a half-century against South Africa A in an unofficial Test.
Dhruv Jurel Has Played 15 Matches Only – Aakash Chopra
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra emphasized Dhruv Jurel‘s limited exposure in first-class cricket, questioning whether such credentials are enough for inclusion in the Test squad.
“Dhruv Jurel hasn’t played a lot of first-class cricket. He has played 15 matches only and scored a total of 790 runs in 19 innings. Of course, there is a highest score of nearly 250. 46.50 is not a bad average. He has scored one century and five fifties,” Chopra said.
“If you see it that way, you will say is that enough to be called for Test cricket? If this is enough, what should Sarfaraz do? What more can he do? Have we decided that Ishan Kishan won’t be considered until he goes back to first-class cricket and scores runs?”
Jurel has participated in 19 first-class matches, amassing 791 runs at an impressive average of 46.47, featuring a double-century and five fifties. He showcased excellent wicketkeeping skills, taking 34 catches and executing two stumpings behind the wickets.
I Don’t See Dhruv Jurel Playing In First Test – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra expressed that Dhruv Jurel won’t make it into India’s playing XI in the first Test match. Chopra acknowledged the possibility of KL Rahul not taking on the wicketkeeping role against England due to challenging conditions.
“Dhruv Jurel is an interesting choice. Firstly, I don’t see him playing. KL Rahul might not play as a keeper. That’s also a possibility because you might not want to play KL Rahul as a keeper in these conditions,” Chopra further added.
“Catches were dropped in South Africa as well. Anyone can drop catches, but if you are playing Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar, and trying to make dustbowl-type pitches, you won’t get Rahul to keep.”
Dhruv Jurel came to the limelight with dynamic performances for the Rajasthan Royals in the previous Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The young batter’s impactful contributions throughout the season captured the attention of both fans and cricket analysts.
India Squad for first 2 Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan.
