India player Dhruv Jurel highlights the contrasting demands of Test cricket and T20. In Test matches, there’s more time to settle in, assess conditions, and plan innings. However, in T20 cricket, the pace is frenetic, requiring immediate impact and adaptability to varying game situations. For the record Jurel has played three Test matches for the country and turned up in 38 T20 games.
“Of course, you get time to soak well in Test cricket but IPL kind of tournament is like performing and moving on types. It’s all about mindset,” Dhruv told CricBlogger during his open two-hour net session towards the fag end of the day.
Jurel emphasizes the high stakes and performance-oriented nature of T20 cricket. Players like him must constantly perform to stay relevant and seize opportunities. This contrasts with Test cricket, where patience and endurance play crucial roles.
“It is too hot in the afternoon to do anything. I do all my stretching exercises in the first half of day and do the outdoor stuff during the second half,” Dhruv said, as kids at the CFSport academy in Greater Noida sat together in one corner of the ground clapping and celebrating every shot he played.
As the light faded, more onlookers walked in to catch a glimpse of Jurel, who obliged almost everyone with a selfie, including the net bowlers and academy kids. “I will be going to the Rajasthan Royals academy near Nagpur for the next four days to do some more conditioning. For me, it is more the merrier,” Jurel said.
Forget the way, he was smacking the ball in all directions of the field. It was amazing to see the conviction behind every shot he played. “In Test cricket, you find time to settle down and can pick and choose your scoring shots. But in T20, you have to hit the cherry from the very first ball and use the field position well,” Jurel said.
Like a proper batter, it is nearly impossible to challenge Jurel. If you tell him that his team needs 4 runs to win from the last ball, he will clobber the ball over the boundary. He is slowly turning out to be a bowler’s nightmare in years to come!