Understudy Dhruv Jurel steps into Pant’s shoes for crucial fifth Test

There is nothing much ‘one can do but wait for an opportunity when Rishabh Pant is keeping wicket for India.

- Somshuvra Laha

Dhruv Jurel has been doing that diligently for two years now, getting a break at Rajkot, before getting two more Tests — all three against England —at Ranchi and Dharamsala last year. He was played alongside Pant in the Perth Test, but that was blink-and-miss in terms of performance. Till Pant injured his finger at Lord's, and Jurel was back behind the stumps.

Thus began Jurel's contribution to this series, albeit as a replacement with nothing to show officially. But there have been plenty of talking points. At Lord's Jurel was moving with the moving ball, even covering for the seaming ball by throwing himself on either side. But more encouraging was his keeping to the spinners. Two stumpings stand out here, both in the Old Trafford Test where Pant was again injured, suffering a foot fracture after being struck by the ball.