In a pivotal moment during the ongoing 1st Test in Ahmedabad, Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel demonstrated their cricketing acumen through the effective use of the Decision Review System (DRS). The incident occurred on Day 1 against West Indies, highlighting the significant role Jurel played in influencing the captain’s decision.
Key Moments of the Match
The crucial event took place on the first ball of the seventh over, delivered by Jasprit Bumrah. After a good-length delivery prompted West Indies opener John Campbell to play a drive, the Indian players momentarily celebrated. However, the on-field umpire remained unconvinced, as the bat appeared close to the pads during the shot.
Dhruv Jurel’s Impact
Despite the initial non-call, Jurel was confident that there had been a faint edge from Campbell’s bat. He urged Gill to review the decision, asserting, “Zor se awaaz aaya hai,” which translates to “There was a loud noise.”
After some deliberation, Gill opted to challenge the decision. While the first replay didn’t clarify the situation, subsequent views revealed two distinct spikes—one indicating the ball touching the bat and another showing it brushing the pad. This analysis led to Campbell’s dismissal, eliciting jubilation from Gill as he embraced Jurel following the confirmation.
Bowling Dominance by India
India’s bowling attack was exceptional, with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Siraj achieved figures of 4 wickets for 38 runs, while Bumrah contributed with 3 for 41. The West Indies struggled throughout their innings, ultimately being bowled out for just 162 runs in 44.1 overs.
- Mohammed Siraj: 4 wickets, 38 runs
- Jasprit Bumrah: 3 wickets, 41 runs
- Top scorer for West Indies: Justin Greaves (32 runs)
The match reflects India’s strong start, overshadowing the West Indies’ lack of application and resilience typical of Test cricket. Players like Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar also made contributions to the bowling efforts. El-Balad will continue to provide updates as this Test series unfolds.
