Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter Dhruv Jurel played an attractive knock during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 27 (Saturday). The stylish right-handed batter registered his maiden IPL half-century and played a pivotal role in the Royals' convincing seven-wicket win against the Super Giants. After reaching the half-century milestone, Jurel celebrated by saluting his father, who is a Kargil War veteran, and was on Saturday watching his son from the stands.
"I do it for my father, did that in the Test matches also for him. Got an opportunity today to do the salute in front of him and that (celebration) was for him," Jurel told the broadcasters after the game, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Initially, Dhruv Jurel took a cautious approach to gauge the playing conditions, but he soon began to unleash a barrage of powerful strokes. Jurel distinguished himself with an impressive array of stylish shots, emerging as the dominant partner in his partnership with captain Sanju Samson, with whom he had excellent synergy.
Fortune favored Jurel as well; he was dropped twice in a single over by Yash Thakur, first when he was on 31 and again at 32. Jurel capitalised on these chances, finishing unbeaten with a well-compiled 52 runs off 34 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.
The pair of Jurel and Samson forged a match-winning partnership of 121 runs, leading their team to a comfortable victory by seven wickets with an over remaining.
Jurel realises his goal to finish the game
Jurel also opened up about his conversation with Samson when the duo was batting in the middle. The stylish batter revealed that his objective was to finish the game for his side.
"I wanted to finish off the game whenever I got a chance. It is a curse and a blessing to be batting in this position. I was just trying to stay till the end and back my shots. In the middle overs, when the fielders are back, you have to pick your shots (and use the angles). At the start, my shots were hitting the fielders. Then I talked to Sanju bhai, and he told me to not pre-meditate and play the ball according to its merit. Then it (the shots) started flowing," said Jurel.
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