Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble is confident that young wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel possesses the potential to reach the heights of success achieved by the legendary MS Dhoni.
Jurel’s significant contributions, particularly his Player of the Match performance in the Ranchi Test with scores of 90 and an unbeaten 39, played a pivotal role in India securing the series 3-1 against England.
In an interview with Jio Cinema, Kumble elaborated on how composed Dhruv Jurel appeared even in intense situations, emphasizing his clear and precise shot selection.
“Dhruv Jurel certainly has all the credentials to get to where MS (Dhoni) reached in his career. He’s not just shown the temperament of his technique to defence but even when he’s attacking. Even in that first innings, he was very assured, he went after and then hit those big sixes,” Kumble explained.
Jurel has excelled in his wicketkeeping skills, earning commendation from former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar was particularly impressed with Jurel’s exceptional run-out of Ben Duckett in the third Test in Rajkot, leading him to believe that the young player could be ‘the next MS Dhoni’.
Anil Kumble’s comments on Dhruv Jurel’s wicketkeeping
Anil Kumble praised Dhruv Jurel’s wicketkeeping skills and expressed his belief that the young player will improve even further with more experience. India made a strategic decision to include the young keeper from the third Test against England, and Kumble is pleased to witness the emergence of a potential asset for the Test team in the future.
“He’s (Jurel) been exceptional, especially of the faster bowlers…He’s only going to improve. This is only his second Test and I’m sure as he starts playing more and more he’ll only get better. And it only augers well for India. And to have him in a squad is exceptional,” he elaborated.
Since Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate car accident in December 2022, India has faced challenges in finding a reliable replacement who excels both as a specialist wicketkeeper and a consistent batsman.
However, Dhruv Jurel’s emergence could provide India with the opportunity to gradually reintroduce Pant to the Test team as a specialized batter once he is deemed fit.
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