Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Dhruv Jurel after Rajasthan Royals registered a comprehensive 47-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at New Chandigarh in the Eliminator on Wednesday. After Vaibhav Suryavanshi gave a blistering start to his team, Jurel was able to carry on the impetus.

The wicket-keeper bat scored an impressive knock of 50 runs off just 21 balls as he smashed five fours and three sixes. Thus, Pathan said Jurel was able to prove his critics wrong, who question him for his strike rate. Jurel scored his runs at a strike rate of 238.10 and thus delivered for RR when it mattered the most.

Irfan Pathan said on his YoutTube video, “After Vaibhav got out, it was very important for Rajasthan to maintain the momentum. In that situation, Dhruv Jurel’s brilliant knock of 50 off 21 balls was outstanding, extremely important, and crucial. Eventually, it proved to be so crucial because hardly any runs came in the last five overs. So if he had played slowly, RR would have landed in serious trouble.”

Pathan added that Jurel was able to prove his naysayers wrong after his blistering knock.

“And with that innings, Dhruv Jurel answered one major question. Before this, there was never any doubt about his batting ability. But people often questioned his ability to bat at a high strike rate, saying that he consumes too many deliveries and plays a bit slowly. Dhruv Jurel answered that question as well.”

Pathan said Jurel altered his technique as he was prepared to play late on the backfoot and thus found success.

“He played very well square of the wicket and used the pull shot brilliantly. Earlier, when bowlers targeted that channel outside off stump, he often looked uncomfortable. But this time, he didn’t. The reason was that he was more prepared to play late on the back foot, and that is why he found success.”

RR will take on GT in the second qualifier on Friday.