3 reasons India should consider Dhruv Jurel for a big batting role in BGT 2024-25
After their shambolic 0-3 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand, India will look to bounce back strongly in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, which will commence on November 22. The 18-member BGT-bound squad was announced during the third and final Test against New Zealand.
Barring the familiar faces, a few fresh faces were also picked keeping in mind the conditions in Australia. Not many would have predicted in their wildest dreams that India would get whitewashed at home. Hence the dynamics have changed ahead of the massive five-match Test series.
The selection committee has done their job but it will be interesting to see what the playing XI looks like in the opening Test at Perth. Given the technical deficiencies of some of the batters, we might see a few bold calls being made while picking the eleven.
Dhruv Jurel who made his Test debut against England earlier this year might be given a proper batting role in the series. Given how he has performed so far in his domestic and Test career, Jurel could be a handful on the bouncy Australian pitches.
Here are three possible reasons why Jurel could be considered for a big batting role in BGT 2024-25:
#1 Compact technique and familiarity against the bouncing ball
What makes Jurel a viable option as a frontline batter for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is his compact technique. You always need a solid technique to succeed in Australia.
Unlike some of the new batters breaking into the Test team, Jurel has a solid defensive technique and doesn't rely too much on his attacking strokes to bail him out of trouble. He trusts his defence but doesn't shy away from playing the big shots as well.
Even on bouncy tracks, Jurel has never looked like a fish out of water.
While the Australian conditions will pose a whole new challenge altogether, the initial impressions are promising and Jurel could actually end up taking a massive batting role in the BGT.
#2 Sarfaraz’s struggle against quality pace and spin
Another big factor that might force the Indian captain and coach to pick Jurel in the playing XI is Sarfaraz Khan’s struggles against quality pace and spin.
While many would argue that how can you drop a batter who just scored 150 in the first Test against New Zealand, it's the pattern of his dismissals that doesn't paint a pretty picture.
He looked vulnerable against the second new ball in Bengaluru and then was all at sea against spin in the next two Tests at Pune and Mumbai. For someone, who has scored a truckload of runs in domestic cricket, it wasn't a great sight for a youngster to keep struggling against the spinning ball.
Given his technical deficiencies and problems against both pace and spin, Jurel could end up taking his role in the batting department.
#3 Jurel could relieve Rishabh Pant from his wicket-keeping duties
Another factor that might prompt Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir to include Jurel in the XI is his excellent wicket-keeping skills. He took up the mantle against England earlier this year and did a commendable job.
Rishabh Pant is expected to play a major role as a batter in the upcoming BGT, and the team management might be eager to free him from his wicket-keeping duties so that he can concentrate solely on his batting.
What Pant brings to the table as a batter is something not many can match. With so many experienced batters struggling to find their form, Jurel might be asked to don the wicket-keeping gloves to let Pant take charge of the batting department.