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After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, February 10 announced a 17-member strong squad for the remaining three Tests against England, recent reports reveal that Dhruv Jurel is highly likely to make his Test debut for the Men in Blue. With the series currently levelled 1-1, the two cricketing nations will take on in the third Test, starting February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
However, the national selection committee has named Ravindra Jadeja as well as KL Rahul in the squad despite both missing the second Test with hamstring injury and quadriceps pain, the team is mulling to play Dhruv Jurel, who can keep wickets too. Reports also reveal that Dhruv Jurel’s inclusion in the XI can also be a result of the decision makers running out of wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat’s performance, who has done anything significant in the seven Tests so far.
“Bharat’s batting has been well below-par, while his keeping hasn’t been great either. He isn’t making use of his chances. Jurel, on the other hand, is talented, has a good attitude and has a bright future. He has done well for Uttar Pradesh, India A and the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Don’t be surprised if Jurel makes his Test debut at Rajkot,” a source close to the BCCI told Times of India.
The 30-year-old has amassed only 221 runs from seven matches with an average of 20.09 and a strike rate of 52.99. On the other hand, the right-hand wicketkeeper-batter, Dhruv Jurel has put up some impressive performances in First-Class cricket. In 15 FC matches, Jurel has scored 790 runs at an average of 46.47 and strike rate of 56.63. The 23-year-old scored a half-century against England Lions in Ahmedabad last month.
India’s squad for remaining three Tests against England:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul*, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
* KL Rahul & Ravindra Jadeja’s participation is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.
