KL Rahul ditched as Aakash Chopra backs this India player for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Aakash Chopra has suggested that Dhruv Jurel could be India’s ideal choice to solidify the middle order in the first Test against Australia in Perth on November 22. Chopra's statement came after Jurel's impressive performance for India A in the ongoing second four-day game at the MCG.

Dhruv Jurel singlehandedly took India A to 161 in the first innings in the ongoing second unofficial Test after top and middle order failure against Australia A. With the rest of the faltering, only Devdutt Padikkal managed to surpass 20 runs, which highlighted the pressure Jurel absorbed on his way to his standout performance against Australia A.

Aakash Chopra picks Dhruv Jurel to strengthen India’s middle order ahead of Perth Test

Given this impactful batting under pressure, Aakash Chopra believes that Dhruv Jurel has the edge over Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul to secure a spot in India’s middle order, potentially batting at No. 6 behind the star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant for the much-awaited Test series opener in Perth.

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The cricket expert has pointed out that Jurel’s ability to stand resilient in tough conditions is a promising sign, and his adaptability may be exactly what the Indian cricket team needs to take on Australia’s formidable bowling attack on Perth’s challenging pitches.

With a combination of composure and powerful strokes, the young wicketkeeper-batter has given the Indian selectors and team management every reason to consider him for the high-stakes five-match Test series in Australia. In the second inning, Dhruv Jurel looks to score big at the MCG.

It could be Dhruv Jurel batting at No. 6 in Perth: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “One guy saved the honor a little bit. His name is Dhruv Jurel. He scored 80 runs, hit two sixes, played 186 balls, and gave a semblance of respectability to the score because India could score 161. It seemed at one stage that they would be all out for 80-85.”

Chopra further noted, “It means you might see another wicketkeeper playing in the XI after Rishabh Pant because this Indian team is repeatedly telling us that they are not averse to change. It could be Dhruv Jurel batting at No. 6 at Perth on the 22nd.”

Ahead of India’s highly anticipated Test series in Australia, reports suggest that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma may miss one of the first two Tests due to personal commitments. This meant that India would have to shake up their playing XI against Australia.

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With uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma’s availability, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are now being seen as possible replacements to step into the opening spot for the first Test against Australia. KL Rahul, who has been a part of India’s Test squad as an opener for several years, seems to be the frontrunner to fill the shoes of the Indian captain in Perth.

You need to think more about KL Rahul: Aakash Chopra

With 49 Test matches under his belt as an opener and an impressive tally of 2,551 runs, including seven centuries, KL Rahul’s experience could be exactly what India needs to counter the formidable Australian pace attack. Aakash Chopra also shared his view on Rahul.

Even Rahul is already playing as an opener for India A to ensure the right-hander is ready to fill in when Rohit will be unavailable on the Australia tour. However, Rahul’s poor form continued at the top of the order as well, scoring only 4 and 10 in the second four-day game at the MCG.

Chopra signed off by saying, “You need to think more about KL Rahul because he was only sent to go there and score runs, and if you noticed, they got him to open. KL Rahul opened because the Indian team has started thinking that if Rohit Sharma doesn't play at Perth, can Rahul be that opener?”