With Rishabh Pant he rested on the upcoming series of home tests against West Indies, Dhruv Jurel finds himself with a gold opportunity not only as a backup goal, but as a reliable middle -order batshed, who is able to claim India. For Jurel’s and experience players, this is more than just a chance to fill; It is a moment to define its role in the team and prove that it can contribute with BAT under pressure.
Historically, Indian backup breeders had a limited role, often considered to be temporary compensation rather than integral parts of the party. Players such as Bharat, Wriddhiman Saha and Naman Ojha often had to wait for the ordinary breeder unavailable before he got the chance to play, and even then there were opportunities to fleet. The perception was that if the first selection was not injured, these advances were unlikely that this would have a lasting impact. This thinking made it difficult to break through the talented goals and to establish themselves only on merit.
However, the landscape of the Indian cricket has changed significantly in the last decade. Investing in domestic cricket, improved training and explosions of talent through the Indian Premier League created a deep fund of players capable of competing at the highest level. While the Indian test group may not have the same breadth as the T20i or ODI units, the goal separation has never been stronger. This depth allowed selectors to experiment with young talent without jeopardizing the team’s balance.
Judel was already invited when he was invited, looking at his potential. During the England series, when the pants were displaced Due to injury in ManchesterJudel entered and with certainty managed pressure. When thinking about this opportunity he said in the video Bcci: “It was very unfortunate what happened (Rishabh Pant), it was very painful. I replaced him when he injured his leg. Now that I have this chance I try to give the best possible.
Jurel has gained confidence in unofficial tests against Australia and also strengthens his readiness. “If you play against them and behave well, you will gain confidence and want to wear it forward,” he said. His recent score of 140 and 50 in these matches emphasized his temperament, selection of shot and the ability to anchor shifts, all of which are the features necessary for the middle order Batsman in the test cricket. At home, his numbers are also promising, on average 63.33 in three games, including fifty.
India had previously tried to find stability in a lower middle order through experienced options, such as Karun Nair. “The cricket gave him a chance” and he didn’t take it with both hands. This may have encouraged selectors such as Gautam Gambhir and supporting staff to consider the younger and hungry option in Jurel, which showed the toughness and work ethics needed to prosper in the longest format.
The role of dough No. 6 is particularly demanding. They are expected to keep their own under pressure, turn the blow and keep the score of ticking, often when launching with someone less qualified, such as a specialized pitch. Jurel has already shown his ability to navigate such situations. During the domestic series against England in 2024 created more 50+ partnerships standing firmly next to Ravicandran Ashwin in Rajkot and the cult of Yadav in Ranchi. These performances emphasize his peace, awareness of games and the ability to contribute meaningfully in difficult circumstances.
Jurel also attributes support for team leadership to mitigate its transition to the role of higher pressure. “Whenever I talk to the coach, tell me to play freely and I support you 100%. You just go and express yourself. Be humble and work hard. It’s good to know that it supports me so much that I don’t have to think too much about what to do because I knew I was supported.” This certainty allows him to concentrate purely on expressing his skills in the field.
Finally, the West Indies series is more than just a set of matches for Dhruv Jurel. It is a provision of a reason to exceed the shadow that it is a “backup guard” and carries a different identity in the team. If he entertains it, he could turn from a promising replacement for vital gears in Indian test settings – a player who relies not only on keeping the goals, but to score them when it matters most.
– ends
Published:
Amar Pancker
Published on:
October 2, 2025
