“I was so surprised by his approach” - Former Indian keeper opens up on Dhruv Jurel’s dismissal in Guwahati Test

Former Indian keeper-batter Saba Karim has stated that he was quite surprised by Dhruv Jurel’s batting approach in the ongoing second and final Test against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Coming out to bat in response to South Africa’s 489, Indian batters failed to create an impact in the first innings. Interestingly, Jurel, who came out to No.4 in the batting order, suffered an 11-ball duck after losing his wicket to Marco Jansen.

"He (Jurel) remains a very technically competent player. That is why I was so surprised by this approach from Dhruv Jurel. No. 4, to come in and play as a specialist batter, that's a wonderful opportunity. Dhruv Jurel has worked hard to get into this position. This was an ideal surface and a situation for him to grow in confidence and score big and, to some extent, cement his place in the batting line-up,” Saba Karim told ESPNCricinfo.

"Jurel has come through the domestic system. He has had a number of opportunities to play in these kind of conditions. I was expecting more," he added.

Furthermore, Saba Karim also talked about the No.3 batter, Sai Sudharsan, not making it big despite getting off to good starts. Notably, Sudharsan could score only 15 runs off 40 balls in the first innings before getting out to Simon Harmer.

"He (Sai Sudharsan) gets off to good starts. But, at times, he puts himself in very awkward positions, especially off the back foot against spinners. He tends to get cramped and then you are not able to free your shoulders to play those shots square of the surface. I felt that was one such occasion when Sai Sudharsan got into a very awkward position and eventually holed out to the fielder at midwicket,” the former keeper concluded.

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