Dhruv Jurel Targets Series Win After Gritty Knock Puts India Back in Contention

India wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel played down the disappointment of missing out on a maiden Test century, prioritizing his team’s series win over personal milestones after his fighting 90 against England in Ranchi.

Jurel who hails from Uttar Pradesh, playing only his second Test, arrived at the crease with India in a precarious position at 161/5, still far behind England’s first-innings total of 353.

However, he displayed remarkable composure on a challenging wicket, soaking the pressure and stitching together crucial partnerships with Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep to help India bail out from a threatning zone.

His 76-run stand with Kuldeep Yadav for the eighth wicket and a further 40 runs added with debutant Akash Deep for the ninth wicket proved invaluable, reducing England’s lead to a manageable 46 runs by the time he was dismissed in the 104th over.

Despite falling short of a hundred, Jurel’s focus remained firmly on securing his first Test series win. “To be honest, I don’t regret missing out on a hundred at all,” he said.

“This is my debut series, and winning the trophy with my teammates is what truly matters. Playing Test cricket has always been a dream for me, and I’m desperate to achieve it.”

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Jurel adapted his batting approach to the low-bounce wicket, focusing on playing the ball straight and avoiding extravagant shots.

“The wicket was offering very little bounce, so playing square of the wicket wasn’t an option,” he explained.

“I focused on keeping the ball on the ground and playing straight. Even when I went for bigger shots, I ensured they were down the ground.”

Having impressed with his wicketkeeping skills behind the stumps, especially while keeping to India’s experienced spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav in challenging conditions, Jurel attributed his success to his willingness to embrace challenges.

“They are all world-class bowlers with unique styles, which makes keeping to them slightly difficult,” he said. “However, I thrive on challenges, and I enjoy proving myself by taking them on.”

Jurel’s fighting spirit and adaptability have been crucial for India’s fightback in Ranchi. With the hosts needing 192 runs to win the Test and the series on the line, his hunger for victory and ability to handle pressure will be key factors in the coming days.