Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Dhruv Jurel after the right-hander scored a stunning century in the first innings of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Colombo on Monday.
Jurel scored a fine knock of 115 runs off 177 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes, which is his second Test century. The wicket-keeper-batsman looked in complete control throughout his innings and batted at the top of his game.
Jurel added 112 runs with Rishabh Pant, who also scored a crucial knock of 63 runs for the seventh wicket.
“Dhruv Jurel should be spoken about first. I like the boy a lot because he has got something. He fights and plays with heart. He is extremely humble. Comes across as someone who is a student of the game. He understands the game very well. Gives you the feeling that he would put his life for the country. So, I really, really like him,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Scoring a hundred at No. 7, he has made one, and I think Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) has made two. Otherwise, who scores a hundred at No. 7? He has done that. He is a ‘Jai Jawan’ guy. His father has been a Kargil warrior,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad also praised Dhruv Jurel for his splendid century. Prasad said Jurel played proper cricket shots.
“He is dedicating that to Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan, because he comes from that background. His father was in the army. However, in the 115-run knock he played, his defense was solid, and his body was behind the ball. He played proper cricketing shots,” he said on Sony Sports.
Prasad highlighted that Jurel and Pant played contrasting knocks.
“He didn’t hit even one slog. Be it the pull, the back-foot punches he was hitting toward midwicket or square leg, or the use of feet, it was all copybook style. It was a total contrast when he was playing with Rishabh Pant. Pant was pretty aggressive and had an unorthodox game style. Jurel coming and playing such an innings at No. 7 was just wonderful,” Prasad observed.
India declared after scoring 503-9, and Sri Lanka are currently 105-3 on the third day’s morning.
