After KL Rahul, Jurel plays the best against fast bowlers: Cheteshwar Pujara

Dhruv Jurel struck a century during India's second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Monday, August 24. The wicketkeeper-batter completed his second Test hundred in his 12th appearance, reaching the milestone with a single off Asitha Fernando in the final session on the second day. Jurel's 115 came from 177 balls, demonstrated composure and technical application on a rain-affected surface.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the former India batter, offered a detailed assessment of Jurel's batting approach and his ability to handle fast bowling. Pujara highlighted the precision and range that the 25-year-old brings to the crease, particularly against pace attacks. The cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned that after KL Rahul, Jurel in the best batter against pacers in this current Indian team.

"Dhruv Jurel's footwork is extremely precise. He plays good shots on the front foot, uses his feet, and moves well onto the back foot. In my opinion, in this team, after KL Rahul, he plays the best against fast bowlers. He has a vast range of shots. He can play the sweep shot, reverse sweep, and big shots by using his feet," Pujara said during a discussion on Sony Sports.

Pujara also reflected on the broader context of Jurel's development as a player. The former batter acknowledged the pressure that comes with being backed by the team management and the importance of converting that faith into consistent performances on the field.

"The Indian team had seen his talent long ago. They showed faith in him, but that performance wasn't coming. His performance wasn't as good as the backing he was getting. So there was slight pressure on him," Pujara said.

"You can remove that pressure only by performing. He performed in the last match. Ultimately, when you are a talented player, you need to perform," he added.

Jurel's century in Colombo marked a significant moment in his Test career. He became only the second Indian batter after all-rounder Hardik Pandya to complete a hundred from number seven or lower in Sri Lanka. The achievement underscored his growing confidence at the international level and his ability to contribute in lower-order positions.

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Jurel's partnership with Rishabh Pant proved crucial for India's innings. The two added 112 runs, helping India declare at 503 for nine wickets. This substantial total provided a strong foundation for India's position in the match as Sri Lanka finished on 8/2 at Stumps on Day 2.