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SPORTS MARCH 08, 2024 | The Indian Eye 47

opined that resting a few players to
manage their workload is very im-
portant since the T20 World Cup is
coming. He added that Jurel and Sar-
faraz got their chance in the squad
because the team management had
rested players.
The former India cricketer fur-
ther added that the youngsters have
been doing “extremely well”.
“It is always important to under-
stand that the mega T20 World Cup
is coming. It is always important to
rest players and prepare them for
the right moment. In the process,
several youngsters have benefited
someone like Dhruv Jurel, even Sar-
faraz Khan. They have been doing
extremely well. It is very important
that under these circumstances those
youngsters who got a chance have
stood up for the cause. They not just
stood up but played match-winning
knocks,” Prasad said.
Asked if Mohammed Shami’s
absence in the upcoming T20 World
Cup will make a difference for Team
India, he said his not playing will be a
loss to the team. Jasprit Bumrah and teammates celebrate the wicket of Zak Crawley on Day 4 of the 3rd Test match against England (ANI)
“It is very unfortunate. If Shami
will not be playing, it will be a big loss that former India skipper MS Dhoni is exceptional. Yeah, I mean it’s not too good in home conditions,” Ath-
for Team India.” attained in his career. been easy for KS Bharat,” the former erton added.
Earlier on Monday, Shami pro- Jurel played a stellar role in In- India head coach added.
vided a huge update and disclosed dia’s match-winning performance in “Don’t feel too strongly about England kicked off the series
that he has undergone an operation the fourth Test against England with being critical”: Atherton
on his Achilles tendon. his valuable knocks in the first and Former England cricketer Mi- on a dominant note with a 28-
The 33-year-old, who is not play- second innings. He scored 90 runs chael Atherton feels it is hard to be run triumph in Hyderabad. In
ing in the current five-match Test se- in the first innings and played an un- too “critical” of the Three Lions’
ries against England, last represent- beaten winning knock of 39 runs in performance against India following the following three games, they
ed India in the ODI World Cup final the second innings. their Test series defeat in Ranchi. had their moments of brilliance
against Australia in November. The Jurel made his debut in the third England rode high in during
senior pacer finished as the tourna- Test at Rajkot as he replaced KS some phases of the Test match, on but failed to capitalise on them.
ment’s highest wicket-taker and dis- Bharat. the back of strong performances
missed 24 batters in only 7 matches. “Oh yes, there’s Rishabh Pant. from Joe Root and young spinners In the fourth Test, Joe Root’s
The latest update has reportedly We don’t know of course when he Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley. 122* put England in a strong posi-
ruled him out of the upcoming Indi- comes, comes back whenever that Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel’s tion. However, in the second innings,
an Premier League (IPL) 2024 with happens. Sooner hopefully for Rish- unbeaten 72-run stand took India Ravichandran Ashwin spun the team
the Gujarat-based franchise. abh. But otherwise, yes, he certainly across the finishing line during the with his five-wicket haul and restrict-
Talking about England’s ‘Ba- has all the credentials to get to where tricky chase of 192 runs. ed England on 145.
zball’ approach, Prasad said that it MS (Dhoni) reached in his career. “I don’t feel too strongly about “I thought this was a particular-
works only in high-scoring condi- He’s not just shown the temperament being too critical of England. It’s a ly good effort from India to win the
tions. of his technique to defence but even difficult place to come and win, obvi- Test. They lost the toss, they were be-
“I don’t think it worked in India. when he’s attacking. Even in that first ously, with nobody able to do so since hind on first innings, but they pulled
It works only in conditions where innings, he was very assured, he went 2012/13,” Atherton said on the Sky it around. It could conceivably be 4-0
scoring becomes very easy like Aus- after and then hit those big sixes,” Sports Cricket podcast. to India because they will feel they
tralia and New Zealand. But it is try- Kumble said on Jio Cinema. Atherton went on to state that should have won that first game in
ing and testing conditions in India. The 53-year-old further stated the series has been competitive from Hyderabad and probably ought to
You need to adapt to the conditions that Jurel has been exceptional so far the very first match but India ended have done,” Atherton said.
and mould your game accordingly,” especially against the speedsters. He up being too good in the home con- “You could also say it could be
he concluded. also said that Jurel will get better as ditions. 2-2 as well because England did
he plays more matches. “When we were talking about win in Hyderabad and threw away
Anil Kumble praises Dhruv “He’s been exceptional, espe- the series before a ball was sent down a strong position here. Even at Ra-
Jurel cially of the faster bowlers...He’s only then I don’t think we expected En- jkot, I know they ended up losing by
gland to win here, given the relative
a massive margin, but that day three
going to improve. This is only his
ormer India spinner Anil Kum- second Test and I’m sure as he starts strength of the spin attack. I feel that was a similar day three here. I felt
ble has said that wicketkeeper playing more and more he’ll only get it has been a competitive series. I feel that the cricket has been competitive
Fbatter Dhruv Jurel has the po- better. And it only augers well for like India know they’ve been in the and India know they’ve been in a tus-
tential to reach the level of success India. And to have him in a squad tussle, but in the end they were just sle,” Atherton added.

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