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India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel shared his experience of playing under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and revealed how the latter helps in motivating and pumping him up through his energy. Despite travelling with the Men in Blue in their previous Test assignments against Australia and England, Jurel hasn't been given many chances in the playing XI with Rishabh Pant clearly being India's preferred keeper.
The only time Jurel got into the playing XI for England tour was in the Oval Test after Pant had fractured his toe in the previous match and was thus, ruled out. The 24-year-old will also not be travelling with the team for Asia Cup 2025 as he wasn't only snubbed from the 15-member squad, but from the 5-member reserve list as well.
However, despite being given limited time on the field, Jurel lavished praise on Gambhir and also revealed a chat that the latter personally had with him. He further stated that the India head coach bolstered his confidence with the conversation that he had with him.
“If you are around him, you always feel motivated. You feel pumped up. The kind of energy and aura he has, like I said, when he comes into the huddle and speaks, everyone gets pumped up. It feels really good. He makes you feel like, “We are going in, we are the best, and we are the ones who will win.” That’s the kind of feeling he gives.” Jurel said on Breaking Sports with Vivek Sethia.
“And personally, he always comes to me and says, “You can talk to me anytime, you can call me anytime, and I will always back you. Just keep your head down and work hard. I will always stand behind you.” That feels really good. You feel confident when a coach of the Indian team talks to you like that,” he added.
Jurel's international career so far
Meanwhile, Jurel has so far made five appearances for the Indian team in red-ball cricket, scoring a total of 255 runs. He only has a single 50+ score in the format so far with his highest individual score being 90. The 24-year-old is yet to make his debut in the ODI format and has only featured in a single T20I.
It remains to be seen if Jurel will get a chance in the playing XI in India's next Test assignment which will be a two-match series against West Indies and will commence from October 2 following the conclusion of Asia Cup.
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