Sourav Ganguly reacts to Dhruv Jurel-MS Dhoni comparisons

Dhruv Jurel has already started drawing comparisons with the legendary MS Dhoni after making a brilliant start to his international career. The highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman caught everyone’s attention with his performance in last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) before showing that he is a good red-ball player as well by doing well in the ongoing series against England.

Not many were expecting Dhruv Jurel to be a part of the Indian team for the series. However, with Ishan Kishan not in the scheme of things, he earned his maiden Test call-up. The Uttar Pradesh youngster could not get a chance in the playing eleven for the first two Tests before making his debut in the Rajkot Test. On his debut, he played a composed knock of 46 runs to help India cross the 400-run mark.

In the fourth Test played in MS Dhoni’s hometown Ranchi, Dhruv Jurel announced his arrival in Test cricket by playing two brilliant knocks. In reply to England’s first innings total of 353, India was reeling at 177 for 7 before the 22-year-old’s 90-run knock helped them post 307 runs.

In the second innings, India were reeling at 120 for 5 while chasing 192. Dhruv Jurel once again came to the team’s rescue by sharing an unbeaten stand of 72 runs with Shubman Gill. He remained unbeaten on 39 and was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant knocks with the bat.

Sourav Ganguly on Dhruv Jurel – MS Dhoni comparisons:

With Dhruv Jurel making a stunning entry into international cricket, not only the fans but several former cricketers have also started comparing him with Dhoni. However, Sourav Ganguly has a different opinion. While the former India captain does see similarities between the two, he believes Dhoni is in a different league altogether.

“Dhruv Jurel… what a Test match he had under pressure on a difficult wicket. There is huge talent and if you miss you and you go back down in the ladder, it will be very hard to come back. MS Dhoni is in a different league.

“Jurel has talent; there’s no doubt about it. But it took MS Dhoni 20 years to be MS Dhoni. Rather 15 years for Dhoni to be Dhoni. So let him [Jurel] play. Jurel’s ability to play spin, pace, and most importantly to perform under pressure. That’s what you look for in a youngster,” Ganguly told RevSportz.

Meanwhile, India have already clinched the ongoing series against England with a match to go. The win in the fourth Test saw the hosts take an unassailable 3-1 lead. The fifth and final Test is scheduled to be played on Thursday (March 7) in Dharamsala.