Dhruv Jurel shines, but England still ahead in Ranchi Test

Dhruv Jurel shines, but England is still ahead in the Ranchi Test

Ranchi, February 25, 2024: A fighting half-century from young batsman Dhruv Jurel helped India chip away at England’s lead on day three of the fourth Test at the Jharkhand Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi. However, England still hold the upper hand, going into the fourth day with a lead of 46 runs.

Jurel, playing only his second Test match, showed tremendous grit and determination, scoring a well-compiled 90 runs before being dismissed by veteran pacer James Anderson. He stitched together crucial partnerships with the middle order, helping India recover from a precarious position at 180/5.

Earlier, England had posted a formidable first innings total of 430 runs, riding on centuries from openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley. The Indian bowlers, despite picking up wickets at regular intervals, couldn’t contain the flow of runs.

India’s response started shakily, losing their top order cheaply. However, Jurel, along with experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (47), steadied the ship. The duo added a crucial 84-run partnership for the sixth wicket, providing much-needed resistance to the English bowling attack.

After Jurel’s dismissal, the lower-order batsmen offered some resistance, with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant scoring a brisk 38 runs. However, India eventually bundled out for 384 runs, conceding a first-innings lead of 46 runs.

With three days remaining in the Test, the match is still evenly poised. England will be looking to build on their lead and put themselves in a commanding position. India, on the other hand, will need to take early wickets and restrict England’s scoring to have any chance of winning the match.

Dhruv Jurel’s Impressive Performance:

Despite the pressure, Dhruv Jurel displayed remarkable resilience in only his second Test match. His composed 90 runs provided India with a fighting chance, steering them away from a precarious position at 180/5. Jurel’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja proved vital in stabilizing India’s innings.

England’s Dominance in the Match:

In contrast, England asserted their authority early in the Test, posting a substantial first innings total of 430 runs, led by centuries from Alex Lees and Zak Crawley. Despite India’s efforts, the English batsmen maintained control, setting a challenging target.

Significance of Jurel’s Innings:

Jurel’s innings symbolized the spirit of Indian cricket, showcasing determination and skill against a formidable opposition. While England holds the upper hand, Jurel’s performance injected hope into India’s campaign, emphasizing the unpredictability of Test cricket.

Kuldeep and Jurel’s Calm Approach

Kuldeep and Jurel appeared pleased to simply bide their time, appearing very calm as the proceedings got underway. Only after England had taken the hard new ball did Jurel hit the first boundary of the day, a downhill drive off Ollie Robinson. As dissatisfaction began to seep into the England camp, a confident Kuldeep drove Shoaib Bashir for a boundary in the very next over.

Anderson’s Breakthrough

James Anderson’s breakthrough after the first hour of play marked the end of the tenacious fight. To his dismay, Kuldeep inside edged one that struck the pad before striking the stumps. Jurel quickly mentioned his first-ever Test fifty. Following that, the batter-wicketkeeper was prepared to take a chance against Akash Deep on the opposite end.

Jurel’s Fifty and Aggressive Batting

Jurel farmed the strike throughout most of the over, even though England were willing to give him a single. Even when the fielder at midwicket missed a chance, he was granted a reprieve. After punishing Bashir for a four and a six in back-to-back deliveries, Jurel hammered the bowler for a further six in his next over to push the score into the eighties.

Akash Deep’s Contribution

Up until then, Akash was playing the perfect foil role, but he shocked England by effectively utilizing the long handle to clear deep midwicket before Bashir trapped him leg before wicket. Because of this, Jurel was compelled to continue playing his shots, but sadly, at 90, he was bowled by a Tom Hartley delivery that abruptly spun away, beating his outside edge and smashing into the stumps.

Key performers:

• Dhruv Jurel (IND): 90 runs
• Ravindra Jadeja (IND): 47 runs
• Alex Lees (ENG): 126 runs
• Zak Crawley (ENG): 103 runs

Looking ahead:

The battle between bat and ball is expected to intensify on day four. The pitch is showing signs of wear and tear, which could assist the spinners. The team that handles the spin conditions better will have a significant advantage in the remaining days of the Test.

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