160 not out! Jurel knocks on ODI door: VHT blitz puts selectors on notice ahead of NZ series
Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has made a compelling case for India's ODI squad with exceptional Vijay Hazare Trophy performances. His recent unbeaten 160 off 101 balls, alongside over 300 runs in three matches, puts him firmly in contention for the upcoming New Zealand series, especially with Rishabh Pant's potential absence.
Dhruv Jurel
NEW DELHI: With the announcement of India’s ODI squad for the three-match home series against New Zealand imminent, Dhruv Jurel has ensured the selectors have little room to ignore him.
The young wicketkeeper-batter has delivered a timely and emphatic message through a stunning run of scores in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, underlining his credentials in the 50-over format.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Jurel has piled up more than 300 runs in just three matches, beginning with an 80 against Hyderabad, followed by 67 versus Chandigarh, before producing a sensational unbeaten 160 against Baroda.
The latest knock, played under pressure and at breathtaking speed, has come at the perfect moment as India weigh their options behind the stumps for the ODI series starting January 11.
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On Monday, Jurel was the standout performer as Uttar Pradesh thrashed Baroda by 54 runs to consolidate their position at the top of Group B. Walking in after the dismissal of opener Aryan Juyal, Jurel tore into the Baroda attack, smashing 160 not out off 101 balls, an innings studded with 15 fours and eight sixes.
He first added 131 runs with Rinku Singh for the fourth wicket and then stitched a rapid 122-run stand with Prashant Veer to propel UP to a mammoth 369 for 7.Baroda’s bowlers had no answers, with pacer Rasikh Dar conceding 102 runs in his quota. In reply, despite fighting efforts from Krunal Pandya, Baroda fell short, bowled out for 315 on the final ball.
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Jurel’s purple patch has come amid reports suggesting that Rishabh Pant could be left out of the ODI squad, having not featured in the format since August 2024.
That has opened up a selection debate involving multiple wicketkeeper-batters. Ishan Kishan, who has already been named in the T20 World Cup squad, remains a strong contender after a prolific domestic season, including a record-breaking Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and a blazing Vijay Hazare hundred.Yet, in this crowded race, Jurel’s consistency and impact stand out. Not picked for the T20 World Cup, the 24-year-old has let his bat do the talking in the longer white-ball format. As selectors finalise combinations for the New Zealand series, Jurel’s Vijay Hazare heroics have turned the spotlight firmly in his direction, making his case hard to overlook.