Leg and off: Should India play Dhruv Jurel vs Australia in 1st Test 11 of BGT 2024-25?
Keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel was among the few positives for India A, who went down to Australia A by six wickets in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, November 9. The right-handed batter contributed a defiant 80 in the first innings and followed it up with 68 in the second. No other batter from the team managed a half-century in either innings.
India A were bundled out for 161 in 57.1 overs in the first innings. Devdutt Padikkal's 26 was the second-best score after Jurel's 80. The visitors did slightly better in the second innings to post 229. Apart from Jurel's 68, all-rounder Tanush Kotian contributed 44 and Nitish Reddy 38.
If we take a look at the performances of the other prominent India A batters in the match against Australia A, Abhimanyu Easwaran scored 0 & 17, KL Rahul was dismissed for 4 & 10, Sai Sudharsan scored 0 & 3, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad had another poor game, managing scores of 4 & 11 to go with the 0 & 5 he made in the first unofficial Test against Australia A in Mackay.
Why India must consider playing Jurel in the Perth Test
The two unofficial Tests between India A and Australia A were played to allow players to impress the respective management and selectors of the two countries ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Among Indians, Jurel was the only one who made a genuine impact with the willow as Prasidh Krishna claimed six wickets with his pace bowling.
The Indian management must seriously consider playing Jurel in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. The 23-year-old showed plenty of resolve during both his visits to the crease against Australia A in Melbourne and demonstrated the kind of attitude as well as technique that is needed to survive in Australian conditions.
Of course, Rishabh Pant will take the gloves, but that should not be enough to keep Jurel out of the playing XI in Perth. The youngster should be picked as a pure middle-order batter. India need players who are in form heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Jurel is the one. Before the clash against India A, he scored a well-compiled 93 for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup against Mumbai.
To his credit, the Uttar Pradesh keeper-batter has grabbed the few opportunities that have come his way at the top level with both hands and has also displayed tremendous grit under pressure. After running out of patience with KS Bharat, India gave the gloves to Jurel during the third Test against England in Rajkot in February this year. And he did not disappoint.
While the other debutant, Sarfaraz Khan, grabbed all the limelight in Rajkot, the young keeper-batter made an impact with a resolute 46 off 104 the only time he was needed to bat in the Test. Behind the stumps too, he did a neat job.
Then, playing in only his second Test, Jurel came up with a Player of the Match-winning effort in Ranchi. He contributed 90 in the first innings and an unbeaten 39 in the second. Both times, the batter walked in with India under pressure but demonstrated excellent temperament to lift the side.
Should India continue to back KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan over Jurel?
Some experts reckon that the visitors must continue backing the likes of KL Rahul and Sarfaraz over Jurel. While Rahul may be struggling for runs, he has the experience of having played in Australia before, although he averages less than 21 in nine innings. As for Sarfaraz, while he struggled in the last two Tests against New Zealand, he has made an excellent start to his Test career overall.
While Abhimanyu Easwaran could come in for Rohit Sharma if the Indian captain is unavailable for the first Test in Perth, only one among Rahul, Sarfaraz, and Jurel can most probably fit into the playing XI. Rahul and Sarfaraz had the upper hand ahead of the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A. Things have changed now and the management cannot ignore Jurel's case.