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Dhruv Jurel To Retain Wicketkeeping Duties For Current And Final Test Ahead Of Ishan Kishan

Jatin

Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan [Source: @simharajuadepu, @_Thecricguy/x.com]Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan [Source: @simharajuadepu, @_Thecricguy/x.com]

Team India’s campaign in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy just hit a major speed bump and it is a painful one. India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter and Test vice-captain, Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the remainder of the series after suffering a toe fracture on Day 1 of the Manchester Test.

Jurel To Be India's Wicketkeeper For Remainder Of Series

Journalist Abhishek Tripathi has provided a huge update on X, where he confirmed that Ishan Kishan has been roped in as Pant’s squad replacement in the Indian squad. 

However, it will be Dhruv Jurel, who will don the gloves in this match and he will be playing ahead of Kishan in the next game.

The Reverse Sweep That Went All Wrong

It was the 68th over of India’s innings at Old Trafford. Rishabh Pant was looking solid on 37 when he decided to reverse sweep Chris Woakes. But cricket has a funny way of punishing even the boldest players and this one backfired hard.

Pant inside-edged the ball onto his toe. Instantly, he looked in trouble. He called for the physio straight away. A bit of magic spray, a few grimaces but it was clear as day, Pant couldn’t stand on it. Eventually, he had to be carted off the field in a golf buggy-like ride, much to the silence of the stunned Manchester crowd.

After the day’s play, Pant went straight to the hospital for scans. The result was a toe fracture. The medical team has advised him to rest for six weeks, ruling him out of the final matches of the series.

Can Dhruv Jurel Bat In Place Of Pant?

With Pant out, Dhruv Jurel stepped in as the substitute keeper in the Manchester Test. But as per ICC rules, he is not allowed to bat. So India are now effectively playing with ten batters for the rest of this Test.

A Huge Blow to India’s Trophy Hopes

This is a massive loss for India. Pant has been in red-hot form this series. In 7 innings, he has piled up 462 runs at a stunning average of 77.00, including two centuries and two fifties. His absence will leave a massive hole in India’s batting lineup and with the series hanging in the balance, this couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Meanwhile, at Stumps on Day 1, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur held the fort with India at 264/4. The pressure is now squarely on the middle order and on Jurel with the gloves, to somehow keep India in the fight.