Ahmedabad, Oct 3 (PTI) - In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cricket, Dhruv Jurel has emerged as a reliable custodian for the national team when Rishabh Pant is not available. His maiden Test century against the West Indies underscored his readiness to seize these opportunities. Jurel's blistering 125-run innings, coupled with a 206-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, pushed India's lead to a commanding 286 runs, reaffirming his value as Pant's immediate successor in Test cricket.
Reflecting on his splendid performance, Jurel emphasized the immense privilege of being in the squad, even when not actively playing. "It's a huge privilege to be with the squad; not many get this chance," he said, acknowledging the honor while stressing the importance of hard work and staying prepared for any opportunity that comes his way.
Jurel attributes his preparedness to rigorous routines and discipline, whether it's batting in the nets or training in the gym. Although he sometimes finds it challenging to maintain motivation, he remains committed to staying ready for action. For Jurel, visualizing match scenarios plays a crucial role in his preparation, ensuring he's mentally equipped, regardless of his immediate role in the squad.
"I do a lot of visualisation whether I am playing or not, so when I play a match, it doesn't feel anything new," Jurel explained. According to him, this mental rehearsal allows him to feel at home on the field, helping him adapt seamlessly to match situations. His focus remains on playing for the team's success rather than personal milestones, always adapting his strategy to benefit the team.
As a wicketkeeper, Jurel finds the experience valuable, helping him understand the pitch dynamics before batting. He remains unfazed by the possibility of playing as a specialist batter, noting that his primary focus is scoring runs.
"It's not my decision whether I play as a batter or wicketkeeper. My task is to make the runs," he stated, noting that his role as a keeper helps him assess the conditions effectively.
He also shared insights from the guidance received from Joe Root, his Rajasthan Royals teammate from the IPL. Root's advice centered on consistency and the importance of sticking to routines to achieve results.
Lastly, Jurel spoke about the current batting-friendly conditions of the pitch, recognizing some turn from the footmarks but otherwise favorable for batting. "We wanted a healthy lead, and with a 286-run advantage, we'll decide our next steps accordingly," he noted, highlighting India's strategic planning as they held the upper hand in the match.
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