IND v SA 2025: “Tendulkar and Kohli used to bat…,” Parthiv Patel reminds Dhruv Jurel of No. 4 legacy after reckless dismissal in 2nd Test
Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is facing backlash after his dismal show in India’s first innings of the second Test against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
Stepping in at No. 4 with skipper Shubman Gill unavailable due to a neck injury, Jurel bagged a duck after facing 11 deliveries. The manner of his dismissal drew criticism as he failed to do justice to the batting position, previously held by icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Jurel played a needless pull-shot off Keshav Maharaj to hole out to the mid-on fielder. The right-hander came out to bat at two down in the second innings of Kolkata Test as well, and managed to score only 13 runs off 34 balls. At Eden Gardens, Jurel fell while pulling Simon Harmer’s long hop as he found deep mid-wicket to perfection.
Speaking on Star Sports, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel was blunt in his assessment of Dhruv Jurel’s dismissal in the first innings of Guwahati Test.
“Even if the Tea break hadn’t been close, this shot was not on. He is deservedly playing as a batter because he has scored a lot of runs. However, here, he wasn’t in control at all. Generally, when the ball is outside the right shoulder of a right-handed batter and you try to play it on the leg side, you are not in control. That ball mostly goes in the air, and that’s what happened here,” Patel said.
“Secondly, when you are playing Marco Jansen, you need to keep the extra bounce in mind because he is so tall. He has let go of a third consecutive opportunity. He is getting to bat at No. 4. Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli used to bat at No. 4. Shubman Gill is batting at No. 4 now. He has also scored a lot of runs,” he added.
India’s first innings folded for a below-par 201 after South Africa racked up 489/10 on a flat Guwahati pitch. At stumps on Day 3, the Proteas reached 26/0 and stretched their overall lead to 314 runs.
India’s misery continued on the penultimate day, with the visitors extending their lead to nearly 500 runs in the second session. The hosts, trailing 0-1 in the series, will need to bat out of their skin to save the second Test and avoid another whitewash at home.
