Watch: Dhruv Jurel’s Match-Winning 82* Seals India’s Thriller Win – Highlights, Stats & What’s Next

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel turned the opening Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad into a personal statement, matching MS Dhoni’s four-catch home record, compiling a maiden Test fifty and showcasing razor-sharp game awareness that repeatedly swung momentum India’s way. Entering as Rishabh Pant’s stand-in, Jurel “was flying around like a bird,” latching on to four edges to equal the legendary benchmark set by Dhoni and Nayan Mongia, and surpassing Pant’s previous home best of three catches. His acrobatics helped bowl the visitors out for 162 before India seized control of the match. With the bat, the 24-year-old showed the composure of a veteran. Walking in at 78-3, he countered the second-new-ball spell with crisp drives and nimble footwork, raising a 91-ball half-century that steadied India alongside Ravindra Jadeja and pushed the first-innings lead beyond three figures. Perhaps the most viral moment came when Jurel persuaded stand-in skipper Shubman Gill to review a caught-behind appeal against Alick Athanaze. Television replays confirmed a faint spike, delighting Gill and leaving commentators hailing Jurel’s “DRS masterclass”. The decision removed West Indies’ best-set batter and opened the floodgates for Mohammed Siraj. Jurel credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for his surge, revealing that a message of “100 percent backing” freed him to play his natural game and deepen his bond with Gill, a former India U-19 teammate. “When your captain and coach trust you completely, the nerves disappear,” he said at stumps. Key takeaways that boost Jurel’s growing profile: • Record-equalling four catches on day 1 underline elite glove work. • Maiden Test fifty positions him as more than just a replacement for Pant. • On-field tactical nous (successful DRS calls, constant field inputs) reflects maturity beyond his years. • Endorsement from Gambhir and Gill cements his place in India’s long-term red-ball plans. With Pant still recovering, the Kanpur-born keeper has seized the audition. Another strong outing in the remaining Tests could make Dhruv Jurel a permanent fixture in India’s evolving lineup—and deliver fans a new cult hero behind the stumps.