IND vs ENG | Dhruv Jurel Goes Past MS Dhoni & Rishabh Pant To Claim A Unique Record

image-lsoi1e7dDhruv Jurel in action [AP]

Debutant Dhruv Jurel left a strong impression with his resilient 46 on Day 2 of the ongoing third Test between India and England in Rajkot on Friday. Despite falling short of a well-deserved fifty, the young wicketkeeper-batter etched his name in the record books during his first appearance in whites for the national team.

His innings of 46 runs marks the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper on Test debut in 90 years. Only one Indian wicketkeeper has scored a fifty on his Test debut, which occurred in 1934 when Dilawar Hussain accomplished the feat in each innings of his debut against England in Kolkata. 

After waiting for a whole day, Jurel got his chance to bat on day two, and he showed his talent with three impressive sixes in his debut innings, each shot a testament to his skill and audacity. 

His final stroke, a loft over mid-off off Rehan Ahmed, brought him close to fifty on debut, but his innings ended abruptly two balls later. Attempting a late cut, Jurel's shot found the edge, and Ben Foakes's exceptional glove-work led to his downfall.

Despite the early losses of overnight batters Ravindra Jadeja (112) and Kuldeep Yadav (4), Jurel and Ashwin forged a crucial 50-plus partnership for the eighth wicket, guiding India past the 400-run mark in their first innings.

Jurel took a calculative risk and accumulated 31 runs, including a remarkable six executed with an audacious ramp shot off Mark Wood. Meanwhile, Ashwin contributed 25 runs, offering steady support to Jurel at the crease. However, Ashwin's inadvertent interference with the pitch resulted in a five-run penalty for India, giving England a slight advantage.