IND vs AUS: The ongoing series between India and Australia has, in some sense, thrown serious questions about the performance of Rishabh Pant. At 121/3, India was looking quite comfortable, only to be bowled out for 155 on the fourth day, thereby losing the match by a huge 184 runs.
This is certainly going to keep his Test ticket for the fifth game well up for scrutiny as he has gone through a highly disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. As yet, he has managed only 154 runs in four matches at an average of 22.
Pant’s Innings So far
The scores so far have been mixed up—37, 1, 21, 28, 9, 28, and 30. Presented in this form, there is growing speculation that Pant might be dropped for the Sydney Test. Though he hasn’t even come close to what is expected from him in the last few games, there is still that question: do we have a replacement who can come in and turn things around? The answer could lie in Dhruv Jurel.
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Dhruv Jurel In Contention
Dhruv Jurel has been in Australia for two months now. His opportunities have, of course been limited. He played in the Perth Test, where he managed a paltry 11 and 1. Apart from that, no chance for him in the subsequent Tests.
Yet, Dhruv impressed in the first-class India A vs Australia A matches in Melbourne with scores of 80 and 68 both times. Jurel has also been in good form in other domestic matches, especially scoring 93 for Rajasthan in the Irani Trophy against Mumbai.
While Jurel might not have the same flair as Rishabh Pant, he could provide the stability in the middle order that Pant has failed to deliver during this series. His performances in the few Tests he’s played haven’t been poor, and he might offer a more reliable option in the lineup.
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