Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has showered praise on the Indian middle-order batter Dhruv Jurel, who scored an impressive half-century in the first innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka, which is currently underway in Galle.
Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Kaif emphasized that the 55-run partnership between Jurel and Manav Suthar for the seventh wicket will turn out to be extremely beneficial for Team India as the match progresses to the third and fourth days.
“You will realize the importance of this as the Test match progresses, when you have to dismiss them twice, that you shouldn’t have to bat again, and if you have to chase, it should be only 50-60 runs or within 100 and not 150. The partnership came at a very crucial time when there was a collapse,” Mohammad Kaif told Sony Sports Network.
Furthermore, Kaif asserted that Jurel had to play at a quicker pace compared to Devdutt Padikkal as wickets were falling from the other end. Notably, Padikkal scored a 167-run knock off 230 balls with 15 fours and a six.
Interestingly, Jurel’s spot in the playing XI was in big question ahead of the first Test of the two-match series, with Sarfaraz Khan being roped into the squad. However, Jurel had shut down his critics with an excellent knock.
“Jurel’s strike rate is 75, and (Devdutt) Padikkal’s is 72. He had to play fast when wickets were falling. He came and played his shots. He dominated spin by using his feet. Jurel was under pressure. He hadn’t scored a fifty in his previous seven innings. Sarfaraz Khan is sitting. He came to bat under pressure, but he converted pressure into dominance, and that’s why he is being praised,” he added.
Batting at No.6, Jurel scored 51 runs off 68 balls with four fours and a six at a strike rate of 75.
