Indian Team issues an official statement on Dhruv Jurel's demotion in batting order in IND vs ENG T20Is

Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has played in the ongoing T20I series between India and England as a specialist batter so far. Jurel, who is in the squad as the backup wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson, is being trusted as a finisher in the middle and lower order.

However, he has yet to make a significant contribution so far. Jurel was sent in at No. 8 even below Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the third T20I which came as a huge surprise to many. But India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has finally revealed the reason behind sending Jurel down the order.

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Why was Dhruv Jurel sent at No. 8 during the 3rd T20I?

While speaking to the media before the fourth T20I, Ryan ten Doeschate revealed the plans of India's team management which prompted Dhruv Jurel to bat at No. 8. He claimed that the team management wanted to keep the left-right combination which pushed Jurel as low as No. 8.

"You could argue we don't want Dhruv Jurel batting at No. 8. I also think if you look at the blueprint of any of Gauti's (Gautam Gambhir) teams since he has been coaching T20 cricket, it is a big part of how he likes the set-up," ten Doeschate said.

"The other night, with Dhruv coming in at No. 8, we obviously did not get to see the best of him. But we do believe that it's a big part of strategy in these games," he added.

Ten Doeschate feels that the batting order needs to be more flexible which is the reason to send both the spin bowling allrounders up the order. Before this series, India's vice-captain Axar Patel also spoke about the need to be more flexible in the batting order apart from the openers.

Dhruv Jurel's performance in 3rd T20I

Dhruv Jurel walked out at No. 8 and was also the last recognized batter in the Indian batting line-up. He couldn't make much impact in the match and was dismissed for just 2 off 4 balls.

Jurel was dismissed in the final over of the match as he tried to scoop the fast bowler Brydon Carse and was caught by the wicketkeeper Phil Salt for a simple catch. His wicket ended India's hopes of a miraculous comeback.

Ryan ten Doeschate backs Suryakumar Yadav

Ryan ten Doeschate also backed India's captain Suryakumar Yadav to return to form after another low score in the third T20I. The former Dutch cricketer feels that the players can afford to have a lean patch since they are expected to play a highly attacking brand of cricket.

India currently leads the five-match T20I series 2-1 with India winning the first two matches and England coming back strongly to win the third one. The fourth match of the series will be played in Pune on January 31.