Indian wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel recalled the missed run-out chance in the fifth Test match against England at the Kennington Oval, London. The visitors had reduced England to 363-9, and India wanted to keep Gus Atkinson away from the strike.
It was understandable that Atkinson and injured Chris Woakes were always going to look to steal a single on the last ball of the 84th over. As the field was discussed after almost every ball, Mohammed Siraj told Shubman Gill that he would bowl a wide yorker and he should convey the same message to wicket-keeper, Jurel, so that he can take one glove off.
However, Jurel didn’t take his glove off and missed the direct hit to the stumps, which left Mohammed Siraj infuriated. Jurel said he didn’t want to disturb Siraj’s impetus as he was bowling really well.
Jurel said on the Breaking Sports with Vivek Sethia YouTube Channel, “So everything was happening very quickly, and the bowling was going well. Then I took my stance because the conditions were overcast, and the ball was swinging. I couldn’t take a chance that even one run might be missed. I felt that I had taken my stance, and right on my right side in the slip was Shubman. Then he told me, “Yaar, he’s going to bowl a wide yorker,” and by the time he had started his run-up, I didn’t feel it was right to tell Siraj to stop because everything was going really well. All the momentum was on our side. So that happened.”
“But when it was missed, I felt it should have been a run-out. The ball didn’t grip properly in my hand, so it didn’t happen well. Then I thought, “God, just let us win the match.” That was the thing. It was a very good opportunity, but it was missed. Still, I believed that Siraj was bowling tremendously. The feeling was that we were going to win the match, and exactly that happened,” he added.
In the end, Siraj was able to dismiss Gus Atkinson with a perfect yorker and India registered a thrilling six-run win to draw the series.
On the other hand, Jurel showered praise on head coach Gautam Gambhir for always motivating the players and getting the best out of them.
“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.”
“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 is currently leading the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions in the ongoing UP T20 league.
