![Gary Kirsten praises 2 Indian players [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787836973990_Gary_Kirsten.jpg?type=hq)
Gary Kirsten praises 2 Indian players [Source: AFP]
Sri Lanka secured a fighting draw against India with a spirited second innings effort at the SSC Ground in Colombo. Trailing by an innings and 213 runs, the Sri Lankans batted out more than 150 overs across Days 4 and 5 to keep the series deficit down to 0-1 after two Tests.
Even though Team India failed to procure a deserving win in the second Test, at least a couple of Indian players managed to earn a significant praise from rival head coach Gary Kirsten.
Gary Kirsten picks Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel as India’s series standouts
While speaking with the reporters after the second Test in Colombo, Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten was asked if any particular Indian player or players managed to impress him in the series.
Without much hesitation, the former South Africa cricketer named Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel as India’s standout performers.
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According to Kirsten, backup wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel handled the short ball well, while Padikkal was proficient throughout the two matches.
He said “Dhruv Jurel is a world class player, plays short ball well. Devdutt Padikkal and Jurel stood out for me from Indian team.”
It is worth noting that Gary Kirsten has previously coached the Indian cricket team, with his three-year stint culminating in India’s historic 2011 World Cup triumph.
One of the greatest of South African cricket, any praise from a man of Kirsten’s calibre is certainly a significant endorsement for the two young Indian players.
Devdutt Padikkal crowned ‘Player of the Series’
In line with Gary Kirsten’s praise, Devdutt Padikkal won the ‘Player of the Series’ award after Sri Lanka’s fighting draw in Colombo.
It is worth noting that the series marked Padikkal’s return to the Indian Test side after a gap of nearly two years, and the cricketer replaced injured Sai Sudharsan at number three position in the two matches.
Seizing his newfound opportunity, the elegant left-hander composed 328 runs in just three innings of the series at an astonishing average of 109.33 with two hundreds to his name. The 26-year-old started off the tour with his maiden Test century, scoring an epic 167 in a match-winning cause for India in Galle last week.
Dhruv Jurel soars back into form in Sri Lanka Tests
After undergoing a below par home Test series against South Africa and Afghanistan, Dhruv Jurel justified the selector’s faith by raining down 173 runs in three away Test innings against Sri Lanka this month.
Not only did he fire a quick 115* in India’s first innings in Colombo, the cricketer also kept wickets when Rishabh Pant was struggling with his injury on Day 3.
Which other Indian players made their mark in Sri Lanka
Apart from Dhruv Jurel and ‘Player of the Series’ Devdutt Padikkal, young Indian spinner Manav Suthar also lived up to his hype in Sri Lanka Tests.
The 24-year-old emerged as the most successful bowler from either side in the series by picking up 16 wickets in just four innings at an average of 21.06.
Senior pros like Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, as well as tearaway paceman Prasidh Krishna also chipped in with crucial contributions to orchestrate India’s 1-0 series win.
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