Dhruv Jurel has shown once again why he is often considered by some as a better bet than Rishabh Pant for the regular wicketkeeper’s role for India in Test cricket. He has earned rave reviews for his glovework during the two-Test series against the West Indies and in the Tests in which he filled in for Pant in England earlier this year. Moreover, Jurel continues to plunder runs whenever he gets a chance, scoring a century in the first Test against the West Indies and a quickfire 44 in the second.
Jurel fell on Day 2 of the second Test in New Delhi trying to hit out against West Indies captain Roston Chase and his wicket prompted India’s declaration as well. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has now revealed that Jurel was going for the big shots because he was informed by the team management that India are looking to wrap the innings up soon. “We always knew that he’s a quality player. Obviously, the 100 in the first Test and also the way he went about it yesterday,” said Ten Doeschate after Stumps on Day 3.
“No qualms about trying to push on. He could have finished the day not out there, he was on 44. But the message went out that we’re going to try to wrap it up pretty soon, and he takes them on and gets out straight away. So, in terms of the culture, this is how we want from the guys, play for the team first, we’ve been very impressed with what we’ve seen from him.”
‘Quite challenging to get any pace up on Kotla wicket’
Day 3 ended with a rare session victory for the West Indies, with Shai Hope and John Campbell scoring half-centuries and keeping their hopes up of avoiding yet another innings defeat. After India enforced the follow-on, Hope and Campbell negotiated the Indian spinners with ease helping themselves to half-centuries.
“We thought the wicket was going to keep deteriorating and by close of play it would be at its worst. It just seems to have slowed down even more. It’s quite challenging to get any pace up,” Ten Doeschate said.
Ten Doeschate was all praise for left-handed batter Campbell, who swept with a lot of ferocity en route his unbeaten 87.
“It’s just got to be super patient. Obviously, Campbell has swept very well. So, it’s another thing tactically we can look at. Sometimes we expect a lot from our bowlers and sometimes the wickets are a bit unresponsive.”
