Dhruv Jurel stood like a rock between England and their plans of bowling India out cheaply as the youngster struck his maiden half-century to keep his team alive on Day 3 against England in Ranchi.
Jurel’s career-best knock of 90 propelled India to 307 – with Shoaib Bashir picking up his first-ever five-wicket-haul in First-Class cricket – and reduced the deficit to just 46 runs. Resuming the Indian innings on 219/7, Jurel grew in confidence, while his overnight partner Kuldeep Yadav resisted to take the total above 250. Immediately after England took the second new ball, Jurel struck a boundary down the ground off Ollie Robinson, who looked off-colour. Even Rahul Dravid applauded the stroke from the dressing room.
Having already impressed in his debut Test at Rajkot two weeks ago, scoring a 46, Jurel overtook his previous highest score and kept India live in their fight. When Jurel and Kuldeep joined hands, India trailed England by 176, and for them to have brought it down to less than 100.
Special mention to Kuldeep who stood doggedly at the other end, playing the longest innings of his Test career, but the vigil ended when he played on to a delivery from James Anderson, giving the veteran England pacer his 698th Test wicket.
Jurel and Kuldeep batted well to add 76 runs for the 8th wicket before the partnership was broken. But despite the wicket, Jurel carried on, taking a single off Tom Hartley to complete his fifty off 96 balls.
Jurel celebrated the milestone with a little salute gesture directed towards his father, as Rohit Sharma and Sarfaraz Khan came together in the dressing room to applaud the 23-year-old’s effort. Remember, India were tottering at 177/7 when Jurel, their last recognised batter came to bat, and over the course of the next four hours, the youngster has been exceptional in his strokeplay.