Dhruv Jurel: India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel scored a brilliant century in the Colombo Test. He came down to bat at number 7 on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka (India vs Sri Lanka) and completed his century with the help of 9 fours from 171 balls. Jurel reached three-digit runs with a risky single. This is the second century of his Test career.
Jurel’s novel celebration caught the eye after a century
Dhruva Jurel’s fancy celebration after completing the century also became the center of discussion in no time. The Indian cricketer raised the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kishan’ written in his own hand. Jurel celebrated his centenary by showing this famous slogan given by the former Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri. After the moment was caught on camera, it quickly spread on social media.
Batting at number 7 is a special example
Dhruv Jurel also set a special precedent with this century. He is the second Indian batsman to score a century for India in Test cricket at No. 7 or below in Sri Lanka. Earlier in 2017, Hardik Pandya played an innings of 108 runs in Pallekele.
Jurel’s name after Hardik
Hardik Pandya’s innings of 108 on that tour of Sri Lanka in 2017 was one of the most remarkable lower-order performances in Indian cricket. This time after almost a decade, Dhruv Jurel entered the list. Dropping at number 7, he not only managed the innings, but also helped the Indian team to a huge score with a century.
New paradigm of lower order batsmen in Indian cricket
The lower order batting strength of the Indian team is also coming to the fore in recent times. In 2024, Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a century against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, batting at number 7 or below. He scored 114 runs in that match. This time Dhruv Jurel played a similar important role on Sri Lankan soil.
India declared innings at 503/9
In the second Test which started on Sunday, the Indian cricket team declared the first innings by scoring 503 runs for 9 wickets in the third session of the second day. Devdutta Padikkal scored the highest 117 runs for India. He decorated this innings with the help of 12 fours. On the other hand Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 115 runs. His innings had 9 fours and 2 sixes.
Panth-Gil’s fifty, 4 wickets for Sri Lanka
Rishabh Pant and skipper Shubman Gill also made important contributions in India’s first innings. Pant scored 63 runs with the help of 6 fours and 2 sixes. Gill scored 50 runs. The most successful bowler for Sri Lanka was Asitha Fernando, who took 4 wickets. Prabhat Jayasuriya and Keshra Nuvantha took 2 wickets each. Lahiru Kumara gets a wicket. Jurel’s century and India’s mammoth innings of 503 have now put Shubman Gill’s side in a strong position in the second Test.