WATCH: Dhruv Jurel spotted doing keeping drills in Beckenham ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test
Dhruv Jurel was seen practicing wicketkeeping ahead of the 4th Test, with doubts over Rishabh Pant’s fitness.
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Young Indian wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel was seen sharpening his skills behind the stumps at Beckenham on Saturday, July 19, as India prepared for the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. In a video shared by ESPNCricinfo on X (formerly Twitter), the 24-year-old was spotted working closely with fielding coach T. Dilip during an intense wicketkeeping session. With the match set to begin on Wednesday, July 23, Jurel’s preparation suggests he may be in contention for the keeping role.
Jurel had taken over the gloves during the Lord’s Test after Rishabh Pant sustained a finger injury in the first innings. He continued to keep in the second innings as well, but questions were raised about his glovework after India conceded 32 extras during England’s total of 192 runs. Despite the scrutiny, support poured in for the youngster from the cricketing fraternity.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra defended Jurel and pointed out the difficulty of keeping at Lord’s due to the slope. “There is a problem at Lord's. The ball goes in one direction and then keeps moving in the other direction with the slope. I was seeing deliveries from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj; the kid was diving but wasn't able to reach there. The balls were so far away. If the ball had gone past the batter where it finished, you would have said it's a wide,” he explained.
Shastri: Pant Shouldn’t Play Just as a Batter
Rishabh Pant's injury has brought added focus on Jurel, especially with doubts over whether Pant will be fit enough to take the gloves in the fourth Test. Former India coach Ravi Shastri weighed in, stating that Pant shouldn’t play solely as a batter. “If Pant had sustained a fracture, then he would be better off missing the fourth Test and returning fully fit for the fifth Test match at The Oval,” Shastri said.
Watch the video here
Dhruv Jurel gets some keeping work in ahead of Manchester - will he be the designated (wk) with Pant as a pure bat? 🤔
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 19, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/ZnEDLd9b9X | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/BKWfWZ4VTf
He also emphasized the risk of aggravating the injury by fielding. “I am not in favor of Pant playing just as a batter,” said the 63-year-old. Jurel, who made his Test debut against England at Ranchi in 2024, impressed with a crucial unbeaten 39 in the second innings to guide India to a five-wicket win.
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