Much more to Jurel than being a standby 'keeper

As Pant's understudy one can be left waiting for a chance, but Jurel offers India a fine batting option in the England Tests

- Sanjeev K Samyal

MUMBAI: In any era when you are competing for the same spot as a once-in-a-generation cricketer, you are always going to play second fiddle. In the current India Test team, Dhruv Jurel finds himself in the unenviable position of being Rishabh Pant's contemporary.

Given his extraordinary feats, Pant is ensconced in the side and that can be seen in his promotion as vice-captain. For other keeper-batters in India, the best option to make a Test career alongside Pant is to do well as a pure batter. Jurel is trying to do just that.

If the India A matches against England Lions are being seen as a selection test for the England Test series, the Uttar Pradesh middle-order batter will be in contention for a spot in the playing eleven even as a batter. In the first unofficial test at Canterbury, he scored 94 and 53 not out.

The fine showing was backed with an impressive 52 in the first innings of the second game at Northampton. Going from India, especially after playing a long-drawn IPL, it would take some time getting used to the conditions in England.