Indian wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel recalled the nasty foot injury that star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant endured during India`s tour of England earlier this year. The Indian Test vice-captain tried to play a reverse sweep off the bowling of Chris Woakes in the first innings of the fourth Test in Manchester and missed the ball completely, getting hit flush on the toe.
After the blow, Pant found it extremely difficult to even walk and needed assistance to be taken off the field. This gave Dhruv Jurel the opportunity to make his Test comeback as a wicketkeeper in the fifth Test at The Oval. Speaking in a video posted by BCCI on their official website, Jurel recalled just how painful the blow was for Pant and how big a miss he is for the Indian team. However, Dhruv Jurel is also excited to make his opportunity count against the West Indies.
Here`s what he said in the video:
“It was very unfortunate what happened with him (Pant). It was very painful. I had replaced him in the field. He had injured his leg. Now that I have gotten a chance, I will try to give my best. I have worked hard and have dreamt to play for India. I am excited to contribute for my team.”
Jurel also shed light on how head coach Gautam Gambhir instilled confidence in him and how that has impacted his game. On this, he further added:
“Whenever I speak to the coach, he says `play freely and I will back you 100%. You just go and express yourself. Just be humble.` So I feel good that he is backing so much and when I walk into the ground I am already full of confidence knowing that I have so much backing.”
Dhruv Jurel shed light on his experience of playing under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. The youngster just took over from Rohit Sharma as a Test captain in June earlier this year, but Jurel claimed that Gill instantly made the atmosphere comfortable for everyone and it didn`t feel like a huge transition.
“Our bonding has always been good and when he (Gill) was captaining in England it didn`t seem like he was captaining for the first time. The atmosphere was very good and he is a leader who keeps the team together,” Jurel concluded.