What sets Pant and Jurel apart in wicketkeeping? Karthik explains

Playing the third Test at Lord's, Team India experienced a minor injury scare when Rishabh Pant left the field midway through Day 1. While keeping wickets in the second session, Pant took a blow to his finger. Taking prompt measures, the team called for a replacement for their in-form player, as Dhruv Jurel came out donning the keeping gloves. It was later confirmed that Pant’s injury was not serious, but Jurel filled in for the first-choice wicketkeeper as a precautionary measure.

Dinesh Karthik showers praise on Dhruv Jurel as the youngster fills in for Rishabh Pant in the third India vs England Test

India were forced into a wicketkeeping change on Day 1 of the third India vs England Test at Lord's as Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury. The young Dhruv Jurel, meanwhile, didn't take time to impress with his keeping skills as he played as a substitute for Pant. Jurel made an impressive catch behind the stumps as Ollie Pope departed at 44 right as the last session of the opening day started at Lord's

Doing his commentary duties during the game, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik took a moment to break down on the key difference between Pant and Jurel's wicketkeeping skills. Jurel’s sharp catch that sent England batter Ollie Pope back for 44 as Ravindra Jadeja trapped the English batsman on his first ball of the last session. Karthik applauded the young wicketkeeper’s poise, footwork, and body positioning, describing the dismissal as an example of clean and composed glovework.

What made the analysis more insightful was Karthik’s comparison of Jurel’s technique with that of Pant. He pointed out that Rishabh Pant, in a similar situation, tended to move a little too early and too fast, which often caused him to misjudge the trajectory of the ball. In contrast, Jurel’s measured movement and balanced posture allowed him to stay aligned and time the take perfectly, resulting in a standout catch.

“The position of the right leg determines in many ways how well your head position is in relation to the glove,” Karthik explained. “Dhruv Jurel is a lot more lower and closer to the keeping pads, and the height of it as compared to Pant,” he added.

Rishabh Pant didn’t take the field on Day 2 of the Lord’s Test, as Jurel continued his duty as the substitute wicketkeeper. The BCCI provided an update on Pant’s injury, explaining that the management would continue to monitor the wicketkeeper’s condition. Furthermore, the board confirmed that Dhruv Jurel would continue to keep wickets on Day 2 as well.