Aakash Chopra said that Dhruv Jurel could pip Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul for a place in the playing XI for the first Test between India and Australia. The former India batter praised the wicket-keeper batter for scoring 80 runs against Australia A in a challenging situation in the first innings of the second unofficial Test.
He faced 186 deliveries in his knock, and India A were dismissed for 161 in Melbourne on Day 1. Aakash felt that Dhruv could be India’s number 6 batter in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024.
“Dhruv Jurel was the only performer with the bat in the first innings. He hit two sixes, played 186 balls and scored 80 runs. India A were in a danger of getting bowled out for 80-85 but he took the score to 161. Dhruv Jurel has a chance to pip Sarfaraz and KL Rahul and become India’s no.6 batter,” he said.
Chopra added that Jurel has almost confirmed his place in the Playing XI for the first Test.
“You might see two wicketkeepers playing in the XI. Rishabh Pant and Jurel are likely to go ahead as the team doesn’t mind in changing things. Jurel could be at No.6 in Perth on November 22. It doesn’t make a difference whether Rohit Sharma is there or not. Dhruv Jurel will play in any case.”
Chopra further said that opening with KL Rahul against Australia A backfired as he scored just four runs in the first innings of the second game.
“Abhimanyu Easwaran could open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal if Rohit misses out due to personal reasons. The move to open with KL Rahul was not good,” he concluded. Easwaran has been a flop in the four innings against Australia A.
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