When Dhruv Jurel failed to reach his first century in the fourth Test match against England, he was upset.
On the third day of the fourth Test match between India and England in Ranchi on Sunday, Dhruv Jurel was the best batsman for the Indians, but he was heartbroken to lose out on a first-century. The wicket-keeper hitter was dismissed by Tom Hartley on 90 after he played a strong effort against the English bowlers while appearing in excellent form. Mohammed Siraj quickly comforted him, evidently disappointed that he had missed the significant occasion. He did, however, earn a standing ovation from his teammates as the fans cheered him on for his hard working knock.
In many cases, the 90s are superior to the 100s; they can save the team when things become tough.
Jiyooo Dhruv Jurelpic: https://twitter.com/tS5ibNH5BY
— itsmeyogesh28 (@Natchezyonghart) February 25, 2024 – Hurel struck a solid fifty to start his career as India mounted a stunning comeback, cutting England’s first-inning lead to 46 runs before being bowled out for 307 at the start of the third day’s lunch break.
As India’s long hunt for a wicketkeeper-batter appeared to have come to an end, Jurel produced a career-best 90 after posting a tenacious 46 in his maiden Test in Rajkot. He demonstrated that he can absorb pressure with the utmost ease.
The Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter rapidly shifted gears after reaching his fifty from 96 balls, bringing English spin combo Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir to task.
In an extraordinarily composed performance, Jurel raced to a single off Hartley to reach his first-ever fifty in Test cricket.
Akash Deep and Jurel later put on an exhilarating 40-run stand off just 75 balls for the ninth wicket.
After Ollie Robinson dropped him for 59, Jurel hit Bashir for consecutive fours and sixes, sprinting to 90 off 149 balls, only to have left-arm spinner Hartley clean out him with a faster delivery to deny him a well-earned century.
In his second Test, the youthful England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir also achieved his first-ever five-wicket haul when he trapped Akash Deep, returning with figures of 5 for 119.
Kuldeep Yadav, who scored 28 runs off 131 balls, proved to be a capable ally for Jurel. In an innings of unwavering resolve and fortitude, the pair amassed 76 crucial runs in the eighth wicket stand, reducing the lead to under 100.
With 134 runs down when the overnight pairing of Kuldeep and Jurel took their guard, India was struggling at 219 for 7 in a dismal and cloudy sky with no sign of sun.
Kuldeep played those 131 balls with perfect defence and excellent strike rotation, demonstrating outstanding application on a ground with inconsistent bounce.
