Dhruv Jurel showcased remarkable control during his debut innings against England in Rajkot, crafting a composed 46 runs. His performance was highlighted by three exquisite sixes, each delivering sheer delight to spectators. Jurel’s innings neared the milestone of fifty with a lofted shot over mid-off off Rehan Ahmed, but his debut was cut short just two balls later.
Opting for a late cut, Jurel took a calculated risk, only to be dismissed by a thick edge expertly caught by Ben Foakes. Nonetheless, fans were left thrilled by Jurel’s brief yet impressive Test debut for the Men-in-Blue.
Partnering with Ravichandran Ashwin, Jurel contributed to a resilient eighth-wicket stand, accumulating 77 runs after India faced early setbacks in the morning session. Despite the dismissals of overnight batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, Jurel and debutant Ashwin stabilized the innings, aiming to build a substantial total beyond 460.
Jurel’s confident and innovative approach was evident in his 31 runs, highlighted by a remarkable six executed with an audacious ramp shot off Mark Wood. Meanwhile, Ashwin offered steady support with 25 runs. However, Ashwin’s accidental interference with the pitch resulted in a five-run penalty for India, providing England with a slight advantage.
