In Ahmedabad, Dhruv Jurel, India’s promising wicketkeeper-batsman, has a distinct pre-delivery ritual: he touches the pitch, then his chest, and offers a silent prayer. This routine, which he maintains even during practice, appears to be a crucial part of his focus. However, such rituals alone are insufficient; Jurel couples his unique habits with exceptional skill and solid fundamentals. The 24-year-old, hailing from Agra, demonstrates a robust defensive technique to fend off challenging deliveries and an aggressive streak, reminiscent of modern T20 batsmen, to dominate a tiring bowling attack.
Despite facing criticism during past IPL performances for failing to close out run-chases, Jurel seized his opportunity on Day Two of the first Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Batting confidently at No. 5, he notched a superb maiden Test century, scoring 125 runs off 210 balls, including 15 fours and 3 sixes. This achievement made him the 12th Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to reach a Test hundred and the fifth to score his first century against the West Indies. Crucially, Jurel forged a game-changing 206-run partnership with the equally brilliant Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 104 runs from 176 deliveries, featuring 6 fours and 5 sixes.
This formidable partnership, combined with a century from KL Rahul (100 runs off 197 balls with 12 fours) and a solid half-century from captain Shubman Gill (50 runs off 100 balls with 5 fours), propelled India to a commanding total of 448/5 by the end of play, establishing a massive 286-run lead. Washington Sundar (9*) was at the crease supporting Jadeja at stumps.
Jurel’s inclusion in the playing XI, necessitated by Rishabh Pant’s ongoing injury, proved to be a masterstroke. He arrived in the Test arena following impressive scores of 140 and 56 for India A against Australia A in Lucknow. Right from his first ball, Jurel showcased exceptional form, confidently stepping down the pitch to hit Roston Chase for two powerful sixes over mid-wicket. He displayed excellent footwork and judgment against the fast bowlers—Jayden Seales, Johann Layne, and Justin Greaves—often rocking back to execute precise square shots on the off-side.
This performance echoed his crucial knock of 90 against England in Ranchi in 2024, where he rescued India from a precarious 177-7. However, that was a dire situation with India chasing a daunting 353-run target, and Jurel had only the tail-enders for support. In contrast, Ahmedabad presented a more comfortable scenario, with the top order having built a strong foundation and the West Indies bowling attack appearing less threatening. Yet, it was in this context that Jurel—and equally, Jadeja—demonstrated their sheer determination and clinical execution. Coach Gautam Gambhir would undoubtedly have wished for similar ruthlessness from Captain Gill, who fell to a poorly executed reverse sweep, and Rahul, who missed an opportunity for a much larger score.
Ravindra Jadeja’s immense value to the Indian Test side cannot be overstated. The team management clearly holds him in high regard, a sentiment echoed by the selectors who entrusted the Saurashtra superstar with the vice-captaincy alongside Gill. With an impressive tally of 330 wickets in 86 Tests, he stands as the fifth-highest Indian wicket-taker in the format.
With 3989 Test runs, Jadeja also holds the 18th spot among India’s top run-scorers. His performance on Friday further solidified his reputation as an elite all-rounder. After lunch, Jomel Warrican had just removed KL Rahul with a turning delivery that caught the edge, leaving India vulnerable. Warrican, who had been surprisingly underutilized before lunch, was posing a real threat with balls spinning from the rough and keeping low. It was at this critical juncture that Jadeja chose to launch a counterattack.
As a fellow spinner, Jadeja understood the danger of allowing an opponent to settle on such a pitch. The West Indies vice-captain had been bowling shrewdly, varying his pace and trajectory. But Jadeja disrupted his rhythm by smashing two sixes in Warrican’s 11th over. This assault broke Warrican’s accuracy, making it easier for India to rotate the strike and collect singles and doubles with Jurel. Jadeja continued his offensive, hitting two more sixes before reaching his own half-century. Throughout Jurel’s approach to his maiden century, Jadeja offered constant guidance, and when Jurel finally reached the milestone, Jadeja celebrated with genuine joy, as if it were his own. Moments later, Jadeja raised his bat in his signature ‘sword’ celebration, marking his own magnificent hundred.