With Rishabh Pant injured, Dhruv Jurel is all set to step in as India’s main wicketkeeper for the final Test against England at The Oval. Earlier in the series, Jurel had already filled in twice as a substitute when Pant was unavailable – once in the third Test at Lord’s and again in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
But this fifth Test is different. Jurel will now officially be a part of the playing XI, no longer just a backup. Pant’s foot injury opened the door, and Jurel is ready to grab the opportunity.
Before joining the series, Jurel was in great form, having scored three back-to-back half-centuries for India A against the England Lions.
Jurel’s childhood coach, Parvendra Yadav, shared that head coach Gautam Gambhir has been a huge support. According to him, Gambhir told Jurel, “Mauka milega, ready rehna” (You’ll get a chance, stay ready). He also praised Jurel’s strong attitude and hard work.
Coach Gambhir motivated Jurel by telling him:
- “You will be the backbone of India’s middle order.”
- “Do your best when you get the chance.”
- “You have done good keeping.”
- “Keep working hard, your opportunity will definitely come.”
Parvendra added that Gambhir sees Jurel as a flexible player who can bat anywhere between No. 5 to No. 8 – a tough spot, especially when the team is under pressure.
Jurel proved his skills behind the stumps earlier in the series – taking three catches in the third Test and two catches plus two stumpings in the fourth.
He also shares a close bond with captain Shubman Gill. They’ve played cricket together before, and Gill strongly supports him as a teammate.
Jurel made his Test debut last year under Rohit Sharma and has played four Tests so far, scoring 202 runs at an average of 40.40. His 90-run knock in Ranchi against England last year was a breakthrough performance that got everyone talking.
His coach recalled telling him, “You’ve got a chance, now make the most of it.” Jurel is always eager to learn and praises Rohit Sharma for boosting his confidence. Rohit had once told him, “Don’t take stress, play freely. I’ve got your back.”
He also learns from Pant and even sat down with him to take wicketkeeping tips. Meetings with MS Dhoni have also influenced him, especially Dhoni’s advice about keeping a 360-degree view on the field.
Now, Dhruv Jurel is no longer just a stand-in. He’s ready to shine as a key player for India in the final Test against England – proving that he truly followed Gambhir’s advice: “Stay ready, your moment will come.”
Also See: IND vs ENG Test: Why Ishan Kishan Can’t Replace Injured Rishabh Pant
