'Next MS Dhoni' among praise heaped on India's defiant Dhruv Jurel

Dhruv Jurel (Pic: AFP)

India's wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel said on Sunday he was determined to win the series against England after his defiant innings of 90 in the IND vs ENG 4th Test was widely praised.

Jurel moved from his overnight 30 to raise his first Test half-century, in only his second Test, as part of a key partnership of 76 with Kuldeep Yadav to turn the match on its head. Batting great Sunil Gavaskar said during commentary that "watching the presence-of-mind of Dhruv Jurel makes me think he's the next MS Dhoni in the making."

India recovered from 177-7 to post 307 and then dismissed England for 145 to set themselves a target of 192 for victory to clinch the five-match series, which they lead 2-1.

"Obviously, it is a good feeling to hear a legend like Sunil Gavaskar talk about me," 23-year-old Jurel told reporters. "The mood was great, there were no specific instructions -- just to go and play... and the longer I play, the better it is."

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England spinner Tom Hartley denied Jurel a century but the young Indian said he was focused on the series and not his own score. "I am not worried too much about the century, this is my debut series," Jurel said. "I am desperate to lift the trophy in my hands, to play Test cricket was one big dream for me."

Jurel's mother reportedly sold off her jewellery to pay for his first kit bag and he celebrated his fifty with a salute to his father, a former soldier.

Meanwhile, this victory marked India's 17th successive series win at home. The Indian team has stayed unbeaten in 33 instances when they had to chase down a target below 200. India have won 30 and drawn three in these 33 instances.

On the other hand, Bazball tasted a series defeat for the first time since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took charge in 2022.

This defeat also marked the 10th Test defeat for Stokes, Joe Root and veteran pacer James Anderson in India. They are now level with former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting in terms of Test defeats in India.

(With agency inputs)