Team India stormed to a commanding position in the fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Test series against England at Ranchi as the hosts require 152 runs more to win the game at stumps on Day 3.
India bundled out England for 353 runs in the first innings before replying with 307 runs thanks to Dhruv Jurel’s 90-run knock. The Indian bowling unit came to the fore in the second innings as Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja wrapped up the English second innings for just 145 runs to set themselves a target of 192 before Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal ended Day 3 at 40 for no loss.
Jurel, playing just his second Test for the national side held crease for nearly 150 deliveries as he made 90 runs to help the Indian cause at a crucial juncture in the game.
The 23-year-old said he was focused on how he could help the side as he walked out to bat with India as India had lost half their side.
“It is my debut series so obviously there will be some pressure,” the wicketkeeper began.
“But when I went all I thought was about what the team needed. How much time I can spend in the middle and score some runs and how much it will help the team,” he said.
Jurel’s solid stand alongside Kuldeep Yadav helped the side steady their innings as England threatened to take the upper hand in the fixture. Jurel pointed out the understanding he shared with the left-hander helped ease out the nerves and navigate through the situation.
“We both are from UP, we had an understanding, even during domestic so that was helpful,” he revealed.
Jurel missed out on the coveted triple-digit mark by 10 runs but expressed that he was more concerned about lifting the series trophy than personal milestones.
“I am not worried too much about the century, this is my debut series. I am desperate to lift the trophy in my hands, to play Test cricket was one big dream for me,” he explained.
The wicketkeeper-batsman said he was humbled by the praise of legends and that he wanted to spend as much time out in the middle as possible.
“Obviously, it is good feeling to hear legends like Sunil Gavaskar talk about me. The mood was great, there were no specific instructions and I just went and played. Watch the ball and play. Just that the longer I play the better it is,” he said.
He added that it was crucial to help the tailender feel confident when they wield the bat and show faith in their abilities.
“There was no specific plan, but it is important to show confidence and faith. I have to tell them that you can bat. That is what we planned and it worked out. Both (Akash Deep and Siraj) are decent batters, they bat in IPL as well. I told them the same and it was necessary. They did well,” he said.
He elaborated on the differences in scenarios that come into play across different formats and how it was important to spend time in the middle.
“Naturally, it’s not the case. In IPL, you see the situation I get 15 balls. I cannot defend there right? Here the situation needed me to bat long and I cannot do that by just hitting, there is risk. So I focussed on spending time on the wicket and that is what I did.
“Hard work is there, but I believe in visualisation and manifestation. Whatever match or series, one or two weeks prior I start preparation by looking at the bowling line-up who will bowl and how will I play them. I play out the scenarios and it helps,” he said reflecting on his preparations ahead of games.
“I visualised that whoever is the bowler Anderson, Mark Wood, Hartley, whatever they bowl, I see their videos where they bowl and where are my zones and how can I hit them,” he added.
The young player marked his half-century with a salute in a tribute to his father, a Kargil veteran. It was for my father. He is a Kargil veteran. Yesterday I spoke and he indirectly said ‘Son, at least show me a salute’. That is what I have been doing all my growing up years. It was for him,” he revealed.
“Obviously it was great, it was a dream from a young age, and as you said, shut everyone’s mouth), so that is done. So, I kept working hard because it was worth it and my dad believed in me,” he reminisced.
The youngster said that he cherished the chance to keep wickets while some of the most celebrated bowlers in the game plied their trade.
“They are world-class bowlers, their styles are different from others and it is a little tough. I love challenges, whatever they are I take it on and do it.”
Jurel signed off by stating the need to have played straight considering the wicket and hoped to cinch the impending victory on Monday at no loss.
The wicket was low bounce, so obviously the runs stopped coming from square of the wicket. I felt I had to play straight. The ball was keeping low and I kept it in my subconscious mind that it was staying low and I had to be ready and play straight. Whatever shot I hit, I hit them straight.
“It is good that we restricted them to that total. Rohit bhai and Jassu (Jaiswal) are batting and hopefully we will win with no loss,” the 23-year-old concluded.
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