Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who has two fifties from four innings, including a career-best unbeaten 81, is enjoying his new position at No. 3, but he maintains that it is “just a number” and that he is willing to bat wherever the team needs him.
Jurel walked in at a challenging 21/1, in just the second over of a 202-run chase anchoring Rajasthan Royals with a calm 43-ball effort, extending their winning streak to four games.
“I was batting at No. 5-6 last year. At the end, you have to win the match. The management showed faith in me to promote me to No. 3,” PTI quoted Jurel saying at the post-match press conference in Guwahati on Friday.
“It’s just a number, I would say. I don’t want a particular number. My character is like that… Even if you give me No. 8-9, I will happily contribute, even if it means hitting the winning six. Wherever the team needs me, I’m there.”
It’s a challenging situation to come in ahead of West Indies big-hitter Shimron Hetmyer and behind the explosive combo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but Jurel has lived up to expectations.
Because of his impact, IPL’s top three run scorers this season are dominated by the Royals’ Sooryavanshi (200), Jaiswal (183), and Jurel (176).
15-year-old teen tornado Sooryavanshi gave the chase a one-sided start during the powerplay by smashing 78 off just 26 balls.
“When I bat at No. 3, (Sooryavanshi) he makes my batting look easy. When you go in and Vaibhav is smashing every ball, you tend to think nothing is happening on the wicket. And inside, like, cricket is not easy (like Sooryavanshi makes it seem).
“And (after) five overs, we were like 65-70 (73) runs. And that sixth over, Abhinandan (Singh) bowled to me, and I was just telling myself, ‘I have to cash in, I have to cash in, I have to cash in’,” he said, about the 24-run over that included two fours and two sixes.
“When you go in, he’s hitting the ball so well. And then there is pressure too… that he is playing so well, I have to do something too. Again, it’s also easy because you feel that if he is playing so well, so can I,” Jurel said.
“It’s a bit of both. All you need is the first boundary to feel a bit relaxed. It was my highest score. When Vaibhav got out, he had already made the chase easy, and after he got out, the required run rate was just 6-7. So my job was just to get it done.”
With seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja positioned at No. 6 following his transfer from Chennai Super Kings, RR’s batting appears formidable.
“Obviously, Jadejabhai is a big name, playing consistently at the international level. He brings experience, and by talking to him, batting becomes easier.”
With wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi leading the wicket-takers table with nine wickets from four games at an average of 12.66, RR has also been outstanding in the bowling department.
In the powerplay, the leg-spinner produced figures of 2/32, including the valuable scalp of Virat Kohli. Jurel, who has known Bishnoi since their under-19 days, said their understanding is beneficial.
“In every match, he’s consistently performing. In the middle overs, you need wickets the most. He’s a great character. I’ve known him since U-19 days… He listens to me whenever I say anything from behind the stumps, so it’s a good partnership between us. It’s also a good thing that both the keeper and the bowler are on the same note… It makes it easier.”
