Watch: Dhruv Jurel launched Shoaib Bashir for a huge six over the sightscreen on the third morning of the fourth India-England Test in Ranchi en route to his maiden half-century in Test cricket.
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Having come in to bat at 161-5 on day two, Jurel was tasked with rescuing the innings as India had slipped to 177-7 in response to England’s 353.
Jurel, playing just his second Test match, batted expertly with the tail, first stitching a 76-run partnership with Kuldeep Yadav and then a 40-run partnership with Akash Deep for the ninth wicket to help India cross 300.
He reached his maiden half-century on the third morning, following which he opened up a bit, taking the attack to Bashir, also playing his second Test.
Jurel’s first six came late in the morning session, when he stood his ground and tonked a half-volley by Bashir straight over his head and into the second tier above the sightscreen. The next ball was almost an action replay as he smashed another full ball down the ground, only this time it bounced a few times before going past the boundary.
Jurel hit two more sixes in his innings and was looking set to reach his first international hundred before he was bowled by Tom Hartley for a well-made 90 off 149 balls. His knock included a total of six fours and four sixes as India finished on 307, 46 runs behind England’s first-innings total.
England were 38-2 at the time of writing, with Zak Crawley (20) and Joe Root (4) at the crease. They lead by 84.
