IND vs SA: "If we both play.." Dhruv Jurel breaks silence on Rishabh Pant competition talk

Dhruv Jurel slammed twin centuries against South Africa A in the second unofficial test in Bengaluru.

Indian wicket-keeper batter Dhurv Jurel has certainly pounced on the opportunity thrown at him in the absence of Rishabh Pant. He not only kept the wickets well, but also performed well with the bat. Team India are gearing up for an important assignment. They will host the defending ICC World Test Championship (WTC) champions, South Africa, for two tests.

The first test is scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from Friday, November 14. Rishabh Pant, who missed the last test series against West Indies, is back. With his return to the squad as vice-captain, he is expected to be India’s first choice as keeper.

When asked about the competition with Pant in the playing XI, Dhruv Jurel declined all such talks. The 24-year-old has been the backup keeper for India in red-ball cricket since last year. Recently, he had a chance to play two consecutive tests against West Indies, and he returned with good numbers.

There is no competition with Rishabh Pant: Dhruv Jurel ahead of 1st test vs SA

Dhurv Jurel scored 175 runs in two tests against West Indies at an average of 87.5 and slammed his maiden test ton in Ahmedabad. He also had a great show in the second unofficial test against South Africa A in Bengaluru under Pant’s captaincy. He scored 132* and 127* in two innings and made a statement ahead of the first test against South Africa.

In a discussion with Star Sports, Jurel said that the aim is to take India to win irrespective of him or Pant playing in the team.

The 24-year-old said, “There is no competition between me and Rishabh bhai. Both of us are playing for India, and whoever plays, the motive is the same: to make India win. If he plays, I am happy. If I play, I am happy. If we play together, even better. The only focus is the team.”

Jurel has been lauded for his success for the Indian test side whenever he has had his opportunity. That is why some former cricketers and cricket pundits have rooted for him to be part of the Kolkata test. However, India have played only one test featuring Pant and Jurel in the same XI, which was in Australia last year.

Jurel is confident that he will be ready to contribute whenever he gets his chance.

He added, “I am very confident that I’ll be able to contribute to the team. Every time I go in to bat, I look at the situation and think about what the team needs from me at that moment, and I try to play accordingly.”

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