Guwahati, India – Dhruv Jurel, the young wicketkeeper-batter, is under scrutiny after a disappointing dismissal in the second Test against South Africa at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Tasked with filling the crucial No. 4 position, previously held by legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Jurel fell for a duck, intensifying India's batting concerns in the crucial match.

With Shubman Gill unavailable, the team entrusted Jurel with the No. 4 role in the first innings. However, his innings was cut short after facing just 11 balls, as he was dismissed without scoring. Jurel attempted a pull shot off Keshav Maharaj, but mistimed the stroke due to poor footwork, resulting in an easy catch for wide mid-on.

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel didn't mince words when analyzing Jurel's dismissal, questioning the shot selection in a critical moment. Speaking on Star Sports, Patel stated, "Even if the Tea break hadn't been close, this shot was not on. He is deservedly playing as a batter because he has scored a lot of runs. However, here, he wasn't in control at all". He further added, "Generally, when the ball is outside the right shoulder of a right-handed batter and you try to play it on the leg side, you are not in control. That ball mostly goes in the air, and that's what happened here".

Cheteshwar Pujara, another former India batter, weighed in on the discussion, acknowledging that the pull shot is one of Jurel's strengths. However, he emphasized the importance of considering the bowler before attempting such a shot. "When it's your strength, you also need to understand against which bowler you are playing that shot," Pujara noted.

Jurel's recent form has been a talking point. Just days before the Test, he showcased his potential by scoring centuries in both innings of the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A. His scores of 132 and 127 in Bengaluru highlighted his red-ball skills. Furthermore, Jurel had impressed in India's Test series win over the West Indies, including a Test hundred in Ahmedabad.

Washington Sundar defended Jurel's and Rishabh Pant's shot selections, remarking that "On another day, both (Pant and Jurel) shots would have gone into the stands, and all of us would have appreciated and clapped". Sundar also added that the Guwahati pitch was a "very good wicket and a true wicket" and "If you spend time, there are runs to be made".

The pressure on Jurel is immense, not only due to the legacy of the No. 4 position but also because of the competition within the team. With Rishabh Pant's return from injury, the team is exploring the possibility of including both keepers in the playing XI. Jurel himself has stated that there is no sense of competition between him and Pant, emphasizing their shared goal of contributing to India's success.

Dhruv Jurel's journey to the Indian team is an inspiring one. His mother pawned her gold necklace to buy him his first cricket kit. He captained India to victory in the 2019 Under-19 Asia Cup and served as vice-captain in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. He has a first-class debut in the 2022 season for Uttar Pradesh and has scored an impressive 249 runs against Nagaland during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season. He was also bought by Rajasthan Royals in the 2022 mega-auction of IPL.

While Jurel's duck in Guwahati has sparked criticism, it is essential to remember his potential and recent performances. The young batter has the talent and determination to overcome this setback and solidify his place in the Indian team.