RANCHI: After receiving widespread accolades for his courageous 90-ball fourth Test innings, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel declared on Sunday that he was motivated to win the series against England.

As part of a crucial partnership of 76 with Kuldeep Yadav, Jurel improved from his overnight thirty to score his first Test half-century in just his second Test, turning the contest around. “Watching the presence-of-mind of Dhruv Jurel makes me think he’s the next MS Dhoni in the making,” batsman legend Sunil Gavaskar remarked during commentary.

After trailing 177–7, India rallied to post 307 and then removed England for 145, setting a goal of 192 to win and secure a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

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

Jurel was denied a century by England spinner Tom Hartley, but the young Indian insisted he was more concerned with the series than his own score. “Since this is my first series, I am not too concerned about the century,” Jurel remarked.

“Playing Test cricket was one of my biggest dreams, and I am desperate to hold the trophy in my hands.”

According to reports, Jurel’s mother traded off her jewelry to buy for his first kit bag, and he honored his father, a former soldier, on his fiftieth birthday by saluting him. AFP