Dhruv Jurel Smacks Back-To-Back Fifties, Makes Strong Case For Middle-Order Inclusion In Perth Test

Jurel puts pressure on team management as he continues to deliver [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]

Dhruv Jurel continues his stellar form in the ongoing series against Australia A, as he smacked yet another fifty in the second innings and has knocked on the doors of the Indian team management. The keeper-batter is included in the India squad for Australia series, but with Rishabh Pant in the side, he might not find a place in the playing XI.

However, the captain/coach duo of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir cannot deny his golden run on fast and bouncy pitches of Australia. When everyone else struggled for runs, Jurel stood tall. In the first innings, when India were struggling at 11/4, he made batting look easy and scored a gritty 80.

The trend continued in the second innings when India top order once again failed and Jurel did the rescue act as he smacked a crucial 68 and forged crucial partnerships with lower middle order. The technically astute provides solidity, something which the current Indian lineup is missing.

Why Jurel should play in the Perth Test?

Primarily, Jurel is a keeper-batter, but that slot is already occupied by Rishabh Pant. However, India need a solid option in the middle-order, someone on whom they can rely on. 

With Sarfaraz Khan struggling on slow and low Indian pitches, there is a conception that his faulty technique might be exposed on Australian pitches.

Hence, the team management should draft in Jurel as a proper batter at number 5. The last two times India won a series, Down Under, they had ever-reliant players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Jurel reminds everyone of the two forgotten players and he can play the role perfectly. 

The first Test of the 5-match series begins in Perth on November 22 as India look to make hat-trick of series wins, Down Under.

---

ALSO READ

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: How Can India Include Dhruv Jurel In Their Playing XI For Perth Test?

---