“We were all sitting around as staff of Cricket Australia and thought, ‘Wow, this guy can seriously play”- Tim Paine backs Dhruv Jurel to deliver in BGT

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has backed Dhruv Jurel to shine in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia. Jurel scored an impressive knock of 80 runs off 186 balls in the first innings of the second unofficial Test against Australia A while playing at the Melbourne Cricket Academy after coming out to bat when the visitors were struggling at 11-4.

Jurel also impressed in the five-match Test series against England in the absence of injured Rishabh Pant. The right-hander was able to grab his opportunity with both hands as he impressed not only behind the wickets but also delivered as a batter.

Jurel scored 190 runs in three Test matches at an average of 63.33 against England. The youngster also scored a match-winning knock of 90 runs off 149 balls in the first innings of the fourth Test at Ranchi.

“There’s a guy who has wicket kept in a few Test matches for India. He averages 63 out of the three Tests he’s played, and his name is Dhruv Jurel. He scored one of the more polished 80s I’ve seen, and we were all sitting around as staff of Cricket Australia and thought, ‘Wow, this guy can seriously play,” Tim Paine said on SEN Tassie.

“I don’t know if you saw much of the highlights, but after seeing him bat (against Australia A) – even though he’s a wicketkeeper, from what I’ve seen on this tour and from India’s batting in the last couple of months, I’d be staggered if he doesn’t play,” Paine added.

Paine noted that Jurel looked class above his India A teammates when he scored an impressive knock at the MCG.

“He’s 23 and he’s played three Test matches, but he looked a class above all of his teammates, to be fair, and handled the pace and bounced really well, which can be unusual for an Indian player. Keep an eye out for him this summer. I think he’s going to impress a lot of Australian fans. Even though it’s going to be another step up against the big three (of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood), he looks like he has the game to play Test cricket,” said Paine.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.