IND vs ENG: Sanjay Manjrekar Blames Dhruv Jurel’s Terrible Wicket-Keeping Behind India’s Loss
Sanjay Manjrekar questions Dhruv Jurel’s role in India’s defeat and points out Gill’s tactical errors at Lord’s.
India’s narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s in the third Test has sparked plenty of opinions, and former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has shared one that might raise eyebrows.
While speaking on ESPN Cricinfo, Manjrekar pointed out how small details shaped the result and questioned if stand-in wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel should be criticised for the 32 extras India conceded in England’s second innings.
“Can we really criticise Dhruv Jurel too harshly for the extras?,” Manjrekar asked.
“He stepped in as a stand-in keeper. He appears far more assured when keeping to spinners and standing close to the stumps, much like many Indian wicketkeepers.”
Jurel was filling in for Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury on Day 1 and couldn’t continue with the gloves.
While Pant did bat in both innings, Jurel remained behind the stumps throughout the match.
India were set 193 to win in the fourth innings but fell short at 170, despite Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty 61 not out.
Manjrekar also pointed to other moments that shifted momentum. He believed the tense scenes at the end of Day 3, when skipper Shubman Gill had a verbal exchange with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, only added fuel to England’s fire.
“Those confrontations seemed to lift England and Ben Stokes,” Manjrekar said.
He didn’t stop there. He also took a dig at Gill’s captaincy decisions, particularly the delay in bringing Washington Sundar into the attack during England’s second innings.
“Introducing Washington Sundar late in the second innings may have resulted in India conceding 30-40 runs,” he said.
Sundar eventually picked four wickets for just 22 runs, triggering England’s collapse from a promising position.
As the five-match series stands at 2-1 in England’s favour, India will need to regroup quickly for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
