Former Australian captain Tim Paine said that he was impressed by Indian wk-batter Dhruv Jurel’s batting during the AUS A vs IND A tests ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Jurel played in the second test and scored a brilliant 80 and 68 runs at MCG. Jurel’s impressive performance in the second unofficial test match between Australia A and India A has caught the attention of the former Australian cricketer Tim Paine.
Notably, he praised young cricketers ability to handle the pace and bounce that Australian pitches offered. Paine assured that under challenging conditions could be a suprise package in the highly anticipated Test series against Australia.
“There’s a guy who has wicket-kept in a few Test matches for India. He averages 63 across the three Tests he’s played, and his name is Dhruv Jurel.”
“Watching him bat, it was evident he has the temperament and skill for the longer format. Even though he’s primarily a wicketkeeper, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t feature in the series in some capacity,” said Tim Paine.
Jurel has already made three test appearances against England earlier this year and scored 46, 90, 39 (not out) and 15, averaging 63 with the bat.
His technique facing the Australian bowling lineup on a notoriously bounce surface, impressed the former Aussie skipper who also coached Australia A in the match.
“He’s 23, and he looked a class above all his teammates on this tour,” Paine noted. “A lot of players from the subcontinent find it difficult to adjust to our conditions, but Jurel looked right at home. He’s someone who handled the pace and bounce extremely well, which is unusual for an Indian batter at the MCG.”
Paine’s appraisal comes as India gears up to face Australia in a five match test series. Though Rishabh Pant will be considered for wicketkeeping options, Paine believes, Jurel’s potential could get him a role as specialist batter in the series.
Paine added, “Keep an eye out for him this summer. I think he’s going to impress a lot of Australian fans. It’s going to be another step up against the big three, but he looks like he has the game to play Test cricket.”
The five-match test series will kickstart on November 22 while the second test will be played on a day-night format under the stadium lights starting on December 06.
The third test will be played in the Gabba which will be held between December 14-18. The fourth test will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7 will give a promising dramatic conclusion for the exciting contest.
