Rishabh Pant's Struggles Open Door for Dhruv Jurel in England Test Series

Concerns Over Pant's Performance

The form of Rishabh Pant, India's test Vice-Captain and wicket-keeper, has raised eyebrows among selectors ahead of the five-match test series against England. Pant concluded his IPL 2025 season with a disappointing total of just 269 runs across 14 matches. In light of this, young wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel, currently part of the India A squad, emerges as a potential substitute for Pant in the upcoming series. Jurel is actively participating in two unofficial four-day Test matches against the England Lions, where he narrowly missed a century, falling just six runs short with a score of 94 before being dismissed by Ajeet Dale.

Jurel's Rising Profile

Despite Pant's underwhelming IPL performance, he is expected to remain in the playing XI for the initial matches of the Test series. However, should he continue to struggle, Jurel could step in as a viable alternative. Although Jurel's IPL 2025 statistics may not be as impressive as some anticipated, he has consistently delivered when his team required him. He has accumulated 333 runs during the IPL season and was also included in the 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Impressive Test Statistics

In his brief Test career, Dhruv Jurel has played four matches, scoring a total of 202 runs, with his highest score being 90. He boasts an average of 40.40, showcasing his potential. His performance in the unofficial Test series against Australia A was commendable, with scores of 68 and 80 in the two matches. Following his 94-run innings against the England Lions, speculation regarding his selection has intensified.

Support from Tim Paine

Tim Paine, the former captain of Australia, has praised Jurel's batting skills and his ability to handle bouncy pitches like those at the MCG. Such endorsement from a player of Paine's stature has undoubtedly bolstered Jurel's confidence as he looks to make an impact.