IND vs ENG, 3rd Test: Dhruv Jurel Receives Debut Cap from Dinesh Karthik, Replaces KS Bharat

Dhruv Jurel became India’s 132nd Test cricketer, making his debut in the third Test of the five-match series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, now known as Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot on Thursday.

Jurel received his Test cap from veteran wicket-keeping batter Dinesh Karthik as he replaced KS Bharat as India’s wicket-keeper.

India vs England, 3rd Test Day 1 – LIVE

The 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh is known for his aggressive batting. With an average of 46.47 in 15 First-Class matches, Jurel has given a fine account of himself. With the pitch here at Rajkot not expected to be a rank turner, a debut is expected to help Jurel ease into the world of top-flight cricket.

Jurel shot into the limelight with his finishing in IPL 2023 for Rajasthan Royals as he managed to total 152 runs from 13 matches and that too with a strike rate of 172.73.

Jurel had represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2020 and was the side’s vice-captain as well, as India finished runners-up behind Bangladesh.

Jurel made his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh in the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season in 15 matches so far has scored 790 runs at an average of 46.47, registering one hundred and three half centuries from 19 innings.

Jurel had earlier said that he would dedicate it to his father.

“If I will get my Indian cap, will dedicate it to my father because he’s my father. If I cannot figure out something, I just speak to him. He guides me and has always been my hero,” he said.

Apart from Jurel, India also handed a debut to middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan, another heavy scorer in domestic cricket for Mumbai.

India won the second Test by 104 runs to level the series after England took the opener by 28 runs.

(With inputs from Agencies)