Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar reckons Dhruv Jurel has been a good addition as a specialist batter to the Test squad ahead of the series against New Zealand. Jurel made an impressive start to his Test career in home conditions against England in 2024 in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Jurel scored 190 runs in three Test matches against England, including scores of 90 and 39* in the fourth Test in Ranchi.
But, Jurel could not perform consistently after that. However, the right-hander batted at his best in the recent two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. He scored 173 runs in two matches at an average of 86.50, including a century and half-century.
Sanjay Bangar told Hindustan Times, “It settled down quite well. If you think once Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli) were not part of the scheme of things, it took some time, which was quite understandable. Dhruv Jurel has been a good addition, and he has batted well even as a specialist batter.”
The former Indian batting coach reckons the batting all-rounders at number seven and eight will hold the key for India against New Zealand.
“If you look at the 6 batters that might play, they do seem to have the experience of performing well in all conditions, and add to that if (Ravindra) Jadeja plays at 7 and then you follow it up with 4 fast bowlers, or whether they play 3 fast bowlers and 1 pace-bowling all-rounder. 6. So, that is the most critical part. That number 7 and 8 spot, and more so the pace-bowling all-rounder, becomes critical to India having a good New Zealand series,” said Bangar (via the aforementioned source).
India will play two Test matches on the New Zealand tour. The opening Test will be played at Wellington from November 19 onwards.
