IND vs ENG 2024: MS Dhoni is in a different league, so let Dhruv Jurel play, says Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly reckons MS Dhoni is in a different league and it will be too early to compare Dhruv Jurel with him. Jurel returned with scores of 90 and 39* in the fourth Test match against England at Ranchi.

Jurel, like Dhoni, has also impressed with his glovework behind the stumps. Furthermore, just like Dhoni, Jurel has a calm head on his shoulders. When India was on the mat at 177-7 after England posted 353 runs, Jurel scored a fine knock of 90 runs and added 76 runs with Kuldeep Yadav, who gave him great support.

Jurel’s knock helped India post 307 runs in the first innings and reduced the deficit to 46 runs. Moreover, Jurel scored an unbeaten knock of 39 runs in the second essay in the run-chase of 192 and thus he was awarded Player of the Match.

Jurel has scored 175 runs in three innings at an average of 87.50 against England and has impressed in his young career.

“Dhruv Jurel… what a Test match he had under pressure on a difficult wicket. There is huge talent and if you miss you and you go back down in the ladder, it will be very hard to come back. MS Dhoni is in a different league. Jurel has talent; there’s no doubt about it. But it took MS Dhoni 20 years to be MS Dhoni. Rather 15 years for Dhoni to be Dhoni. So let him [Jurel] play. Jurel’s ability to play spin, pace, and most importantly to perform under pressure. That’s what you look for in a youngster,” said Ganguly on RevSportz.

Recently legendary Sunil Gavaskar also likened Dhruv Jurel to MS Dhoni but the youngster has played down any comparisons.

Jurel said, “Obviously it’s a good feeling to hear a legend like Sunil Gavaskar talk about me. The mood was great, there were no specific instructions… just to go out and play. Watch the ball and play. Just that the longer I play the better it is.”

The fifth and final Test match will be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala from March 7.