Did Dhruv Jurel Celebrate His Maiden Test Century with a Unique Army Drill?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dhruv Jurel celebrated his maiden Test century with an army drill tribute.
- Jurel's innings showcased maturity and skill.
- He formed a significant partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
- India's batting performance placed them in a strong position in the match.
- Jurel's tribute highlights the emotional connection between sports and family legacy.
Ahmedabad, Oct 3 (NationPress) India's Dhruv Jurel celebrated the achievement of his first Test century with a heartfelt tribute on the second day of the opening Test against the West Indies, honoring his father, Nem Chand, a retired Indian Army Havildar and veteran of the Kargil War.
Reaching this significant milestone off 190 balls, the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Agra showcased an impressive army drill mimicry with his bat, a gesture filled with personal significance. While Jurel had previously acknowledged milestones with salutes, this occasion saw him perform a full guard-of-honor march for his inaugural Test ton.
The innings displayed Jurel's maturity and composure, combining resilience with elegance. Coming in at No. 5 due to the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant, he scored 125 runs off 210 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and two sixes.
This performance was pivotal in establishing India's dominance, significantly supported by a remarkable 206-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja. Respecting the conditions early on, Jurel played late with soft hands, particularly excelling on the off side.
Against spinners like Roston Chase, Khary Pierre, and Jomel Warrican, he displayed confidence in his footwork, effectively utilizing both the depth of the crease and advancing down the pitch.
Once settled, he accelerated his scoring, striking Warrican for three fours and a six in quick succession. His innings concluded when he edged a drive off debutant Khary Pierre to the wicketkeeper, yet not before receiving a standing ovation from teammates and fans.
Jurel's century, combined with Jadeja's unbeaten 104 and KL Rahul's earlier contributions, propelled India to a commanding 448/5 in 128 overs at stumps, extending their lead to 286 runs. The final session was dominated by India, who added 122 runs in 32 overs, with Jadeja continuing to challenge the West Indies attack alongside Washington Sundar (9*).