Beckenham, July 19: As India gear up for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, a finger injury to Rishabh Pant has opened the door for a possible reshuffle — with young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel emerging as a strong contender behind the stumps.
Pant injured his left index finger while collecting a leg-side delivery from Jasprit Bumrah during the Lord’s Test, raising concerns about his ability to keep wickets in the upcoming match. While his batting position remains secure, India may opt to ease his workload by handing over the gloves to Jurel.
The 23-year-old Jurel made a strong impression during India’s training session at the Kent County Cricket Ground on Thursday. He was seen batting fluently in the nets, effortlessly lofting deliveries into the stands and showing no signs of hesitation when challenged by bowling coach Morne Morkel from a shortened run-up. His compact technique and positive intent stood out.
Jurel, the son of a former army officer, has already earned praise for his temperament and match-winning capabilities. His gritty 90 on a spinning Ranchi pitch during the home series against England earlier this year played a crucial role in an Indian comeback and earned him the Player-of-the-Match award. His ability to counter spin and bat with the tail has added to his growing reputation.
Jurel also impressed during the tour of England in June, scoring three half-centuries in unofficial Tests against the England Lions. Despite this, he was left out of the playing XI for the first three Tests in favour of Pant, with India opting for more all-round options like Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar to bolster depth.
However, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed on Thursday that Jurel is very much in contention should Pant not recover in time.
“He’s been sharp, prepared, and brings solid value as a keeper-batter. If Pant isn’t fit to keep, Jurel’s readiness is unquestionable,” ten Doeschate said.
Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik also lauded Jurel’s glovework during the Lord’s Test, where he briefly filled in for Pant. Karthik noted his balance and technique, particularly highlighting his catch to dismiss Ollie Pope off Ravindra Jadeja.
On Thursday, Jurel underwent wicketkeeping drills under fielding coach T. Dilip, focusing on taking the ball close to the body — a crucial technique in English conditions.
If Jurel is included in the playing XI, India will be faced with the tricky decision of whom to drop. Karun Nair, who has failed to convert starts, could be one option. Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar are the others in the mix — Reddy for his top-order breakthroughs at Lord’s despite limited impact with the bat, and Sundar for his spin and bounce-friendly skills, which may prove vital at Old Trafford. (Agencies)
