File photo of Sunil Gavaskar taking an autograph of MS Dhoni© Twitter
MS Dhoni is the benchmark for any Indian cricket team ‘finisher’. With his unique style of batting, he often pulled the Indian cricket team out of danger. Despite not being the most technically sound batter, in the traditional sense of the phrase, MS Dhoni was effective to the core both for the Indian cricket team and the Chennai Super Kings. HIs records speaks for itself. So, when a batter or player gets compared to him, one ought to take notice. And if that comparison is done by the great Sunil Gavaskar, then it holds extra significance.
During the first innings of the fourth Test in Ranchi, Jurel rescued India after most of the top order had gone back to the pavilion. The act was praised by Sunil Gavaskar. “Watching the presence of mind of Dhruv Jurel makes me think he’s the next MS Dhoni in the making. I know it is a big claim to make but when Dhoni was young, he showed the same presence of mind,” the legend said on air while commentating on the player.
The quote went viral. The former Indian cricket team wicketkeeper has now explained his comments in details.
“The way he thinks about the game, the way he assesses the situation and bats accordingly, gives me the MS Dhoni feels. He would hit a six in between and then look for ones and twos to rotate the strike… Even in keeping, the way he gathered that wayward throw and ran out Ben Duckett and then took a brilliant catch of Jimmy Anderson who went for the reverse sweep. When MS Dhoni was of his age, he too had the same situation awareness. And that is why I said, Jurel is like MS Dhoni. No one can become MS Dhoni. There is only one MS Dhoni. But if Jurel can manage to do even some portion of the things Dhoni did then it would be great for Indian cricket,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on Sports Tak.
“He is definitely an option. A lot will depend on his IPL form. Form is very important. But the ease with which he is hitting sixes shows that he has the game for shorter formats. If he gets a chance then he will bat at No.5 or 6 only, as a finisher. We’ve seen how Dhoni did coming in to bat that number in the last 4-5 overs of the innings. The same will be expected from him,” Gavaskar said.
Topics mentioned in this article
