Dhruv Jurel celebrates his half-century during the second day of the Galle Test.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Progress in a Test is not just about the big knock or the five-for spell, equally it is about efficient performances that slip into the shadows. Dhruv Jurel’s 51 was a vital contribution during India’s first innings in the opening Test against Sri Lanka, and the wicketkeeper-batter said: “Whenever I go in, I just think about what the team needs.”
Speaking to the media at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday (August 16, 2026), Jurel added: “There is no personal milestone that I look for before batting. I listen to the captain and coach. I go there and do what the team needs, I try to control the situation for the team. It is about being switched on. I had played in the A-series earlier here and I had an idea about the pitch and the weather.”
Asked if he felt any pressure over his spot in the playing XI, ahead of this game, Jurel countered: “Not at all. I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to represent India. That’s the only privilege that I play for.”
And as for the urgency on display from the Indian batters, Jurel said: “The plan was to make as many runs as possible by playing sensible cricket. Be it Rishabh Pant or me or the tail, we wanted runs on the board.”
Having wrested the initial honours during the first innings, Jurel felt that now it is the turn of the Indian bowlers to drive home the advantage.“Satisfaction is about winning the match. Our bowlers have to be consistent, bowl long spells. There is no rocket science. We need to put the ball in right areas and get those 20 wickets. Our score of 450-odd is very good on this pitch.”
Jurel also pointed out the value of the extended time that India had in Sri Lanka ahead of the Tests. “For India, it is all about volume. We came here 10 days before and trained at Colombo. We had many sessions. Batting on these surfaces helps us improve, and we become aware about the environment and the situation.”
The remainder of this rain-affected Test would be interesting and Jurel said: “The three days will be crucial. We have to work hard on all these days. We cannot be thinking about the time we lost to the rains”.
Published – August 16, 2026 08:00 pm IST
