Dhruv Jurel missed a Duleep Trophy 2025 tie for injury concerns. According to several media reports, the India international is unable to play in the Central Zone vs. Northeast Zone game. Jurel was named the captain of Central Zone with his deputy, Rajat Patidar. As their regular skipper is not available due to a possible injury, for the ongoing match, Patidar is assigned as the captain.

The keeper may have sustained a groin niggle, as per media claims. Though, after the first day of the contest, his absence did not fill as Patidar and Danish Malewar both smashed centuries on Thursday. Rajat departed after a well-made 125 off 96, while the young batter Danish remained unbeaten for 198. He will start a fresh day with Yash Rathod (32*).

After the first day of the match, Central Zone is in the driving seat, as they have already received 432 runs in exchange for only 2 wickets. Apart from Dhruv Jurel, multiple star batters are missing from the Duleep Trophy 2025 fixtures. East Zone captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and North Zone captain Shubman Gill also are not featured in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Read More: Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 Round 3: All Scores from Day 3

Players and there reasons to stay outside matches

As per the reports, Easwaran, who travelled to England but was not selected for any of the 5 matches, is currently outside of the field for flu on the morning of the match. Gill is outside of the encounters because he was 'unwell.' During the absence of the captains, teams have to change their leadership roles. Patidar is leading Central Zone, Riyan Parag is in charge of East Zone, and Ankit Kumar is captaining North Zone. 

Team India is set to feature in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. For that tournament, BCCI already announced their squad with Shubman Gill as the vice-captain. Ahead of the tournament, the Board or any zonal teams want to avoid any kind of risk. 

Dhruv Jurel at last broke silence about speculations related to his future in Rajasthan Royals (RR). Recently, there are multiple rumors around RR, especially about their captaincy role, as Sanju Samson, their regular captain, is reportedly set to leave the franchise. As with some of the latest claims, Samson has requested the RR franchise to release him. If the franchise lets him go, then they have to choose a skipper ahead of IPL 2026. Then, who will be the cricketer who can lead the former IPL champion side?

According to speculations, Dhruv Jurel can get the leadership role, though it remains only as a possibility. Jurel himself, in a recent conversation, opened up about his chances to lead RR in the upcoming edition of IPL. The keeper-batter said that he is ready to take any role at Rajasthan Royals. Jurel wants to give his 2000 percent as the team showed trust in his abilities. 

"What I would say is that whatever role I get from Rajasthan Royals doesn’t matter, because they gave me an opportunity when I especially needed it, when I had to show my talent on a big platform. I would say Rajasthan Royals changed my life. They gave me the chance to showcase my ability. So it doesn’t matter whether I get the captaincy or not. From my side, I want to give 2000% to Rajasthan Royals," Jurel said. 

Read More: WATCH: Sony releases nail biting promo focusing India vs Pakistan match for Asia Cup 2025

'Want to win the championship'

Despite multiple promising efforts with bat and ball, RR's IPL 2025 was not impressive as a unit.Winning or losing are all part of the game, so Jurel talked about trying hard together. Jurel said that like Sanju, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag all feel that they have the potential to be a champion. 

"I want to win the championship. Me, Riyan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Bhai all feel the same way, and we have the potential to do it. So our thought process always revolves around how we can win the championship. Whoever becomes captain, our goal is the same: we want to win the championship. And for that, we will do whatever it takes," he added. 

Gorakhpur Lions played strong cricket to win against Kanpur Superstars by 13 runs in a high-scoring game. The Lions batted first and made 193/2 in 20 overs. Captain Dhruv Jurel got out early, but Aryan Juyal stayed till the end with a steady 90 not out. He scored 6 fours and 6 sixes and gave a strong contribution. Later, Siddharth Yadav played a quickfire 56 runs in 27 balls, smashing 5 sixes.

Akshdeep Nath also added 28 runs as the Lions finished with a strong total. Chasing 194, Kanpur Superstars lost wickets early in the second innings, but their captain, Sameer Rizvi, kept the fight alive. He played a brilliant innings of 93 runs from 49 balls, hitting 9 fours and 5 sixes. His batting gave hope to Kanpur, but he did not get enough support from the other batters.

𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒅! The stumps go flying thanks to Teerath. The Captain must walk back.

Watch live on @SonyLIV and @SonySportsNetwk. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #GGLvsKS pic.twitter.com/386J8s4Hhr

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 23, 2025

Shaurya Singh made 21 and Vineet Panwar scored 19, but most of the middle and lower order collapsed quickly. The Lions bowlers held their nerves at the right time. Teerath Singh bowled superbly, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, while Vasu Vats grabbed 2 wickets for just 25.

ALSO READ: UP T20 2025, Match 12: Meerut Mavericks vs Kashi Rudras full match highlights

Prince Yadav and Shivam Sharma also took a wicket each. Kanpur were bowled out for 180 in 19.5 overs, falling just 13 runs short. It was a great team effort by Gorakhpur Lions. Juyal’s steady batting, Siddharth’s power hitting, and the bowlers’ control in the death overs made sure the Lions walked away with a thrilling win.

In Match 11 of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UP T20) 2025, the Lucknow Falcons will play Gaur Gorakhpur Lions. The game takes place on Friday, August 22 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The Falcons have started the season strong, winning two of the three matches they've played so far. With four points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.374, they sit in a good position at this stage and will look to keep up their winning momentum now.

See Also: UP T20 2025, Match 09: Meerut Mavericks vs Gorakhpur Lions full match highlights

In contrast, Gaur Gorakhpur have had a mixed campaign, and they will be seeking consistency as the season moves on. So far, they have only managed one win from their three games leaving them with two points and a Net Run Rate of -0.787. They currently have the lowest points in the standings and will need to quickly regroup to put in a much-improved performance against a confident, resurgent Lucknow side. Overall, this game will offer an exciting matchup of a confident side and a team looking to establish a certain level of consistency.

Lucknow Falcons vs Gaur Gorakhapur Lions, Match 11: Live Streaming Details

Lucknow Falcons vs Gaur Gorakhapur Lions, Match 11: Probable Playing XI

Lucknow Falcons Probable Playing 11

Samarth Singh, Priyam Garg, Aaradhya Yadav (wk), Mohammad Saif, Sameer Choudhary, Vipraj Nigam (c), Kritagya Singh, Parv Singh, Akshat Pandey, Akshu Bajwa, Kishan Kumar Singh

Gaur Gorakhapur Lions Probable Playing 11

Dhruv Jurel (c & wk), Aryan Juyal, Siddharth Yadav, Ankit Chaudhary, Nishant Kushwaha, Hardeep Singh, Akshdeep Nath, Prince Yadav, Shivam Sharma, Vasu Vats, Abdul Rehman

Meerut Mavericks won a brilliant win over Gorakhpur Lions, chasing down 168 runs with 7 balls to remaining. The star of the night was their captain Rinku Singh, who played a breathtaking innings to guide his team home.

Earlier, Gorakhpur Lions put up 167/9 in 20 overs. Skipper Dhruv Jurel scored 38 runs while Nishant Kushwah added a quick 37. Shivam Sharma’s late unbeaten 25 also helped them finish on a fighting total. For Meerut, Vishal Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar took three wickets each and bowled smartly to stop Gorakhpur from getting past 170.

CAPTAIN RINKU SINGH 108*(48) IN UPT20 LEAGUE...!!!! 👑🔥

- Relive the One Man Show, A perfect Preparation for Asia Cup. pic.twitter.com/zWF9ECyqy4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 21, 2025

Meerut’s chase started badly as they lost four wickets with just 33 runs on the board. The top order failed, but then Rinku Singh stepped up with one of the finest knocks of the tournament. He smashed an unbeaten 108 from just 48 balls, hitting 7 fours and 8 sixes. His clean hitting turned the game completely in Meerut’s favor. At the other end, Sahab Yuvraj Singh stayed calm and supported his captain with 22 not out. Together, they both added an unbeaten 135 runs for the fifth wicket to won a comfortable win for meerut's.

Chasing a target of 168, Rinku walks in at 38-4. Scores unbeaten 108 off 48. Wins the game in the 19th over. 🤯

The One. The Only. RINKU SINGH! 🦁 💜

pic.twitter.com/YCjQcLMcaH

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) August 21, 2025

ALSO READ: The Hundred 2025, Match 23: Oval Invincibles vs Trent Rockets full match highlights and scorecard
Gorakhpur’s bowlers had no answers once Rinku started firing. Vasu Vats went for 43 runs, while Abdul Rehman and Vijay Yadav managed a wicket each but couldn’t stop the flow of runs. This victory gave Meerut Mavericks a strong boost in the competition, while Gorakhpur Lions were left disappointed. Rinku Singh’s powerful century was the difference between the two teams and will be remembered as one of the best knocks of the season.

Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, there were speculations, that Sanju Samson might part ways with Rajasthan Royals. According to the latest reports, Samson along with Dhruv Jurel is set to bid adieu to their long held relationship with the Rajasthan franchise. Among the speculations, one particular aspect of Samson’s departure was his potential trade to Chennai Super Kings.

With Jurel and Samson potentially parting ways, Rajasthan will lose two of its wicketkeeping options. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings will look to add Samson as the potential upcoming wicketkeeper from the franchise as MS Dhoni’s retirement news is catching pace day by day. It will also be interesting to see if the franchise is interested in trading Jurel too.

Read More: [WATCH] "The anti-corruption guys..."- John Hastings comments on his 18-ball over during WCL 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal might be next RR captain

With this development, the next potential captain after Samson’s exit might be young batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal. It is worth noting that, Jaiswal is one of the oldest member of the Rajasthan team and has the potential to deliver what the management desires from the team and the captain. Since 2008, the team has never won another title, and they are keen to add one more laurel to their only title card.

Amidst all the speculations of whether Sanju Samson will stay with the Rajasthan Royals or not for the upcoming 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the franchise has made a cryptic post with a tagline of ‘Captain Dhruv Jurel.’ A few reports have claimed that Samson asked the management not to retain him before the new season, even though the final decision belongs to the franchise. 

Just amongst all the flying news, Jurel was named the captain of the Central Zone for the season-opening Duleep Trophy 2025, which begins on August 28 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The 23-year-old wicket-keeper batter, who turned heads for incredible glove work and batting temperament during their 2-2 drawn Test series in England, has a new responsibility.

See Also: [WATCH] Jasprit Bumrah rates food from India and UK in snack war

Jurel has been selected as the new captain, which shows the trust of the selectors. He played the final red-ball clash of the series at Kennington Oval after Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the encounter due to a broken foot. However, he kept wickets at Lord’s and Old Trafford when Pant was out of action with various injuries.

"Captain Dhurv Jurel"- RR makes cryptic post on new captain before IPL 2026

On August 08, RR celebrated their young captain’s leadership with an interesting post of ‘Ek hoga jo stumps ke peeche se game badal dega (There will be someone who can change the game from behind the stumps). This could be a new indication after the reports on Samson, who missed several games of the previous edition due to a thumb injury.

Ek hoga jo stumps ke peeche se game badal dega 🔥 pic.twitter.com/P5cK4hX5mf

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 8, 2025

Riyan Parag led the side in Samson’s absence. The franchise hasn’t commented yet on the situation, as the post doesn’t mention Samson. However, optics are interesting, even if they are made unintentionally, at the right time. Overall, Jurel has smashed 680 IPL runs for RR at a strike rate of 153.84 with four fifties.

On the other hand, the Kerala batter, Sanju Samson, has nailed over 4700 runs in IPL at a strike rate of around 140 with 26 fifties and three centuries. In the last eight seasons, apart from 2025, the right-handed batter has crossed the 300-run mark consistently. If the reports are true, the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are keeping an eye on the batter before the auction.  

Mohammed Siraj perhaps had the best turnaround in the last 24 hours. It was just after the first hour of the fourth day of the fifth Test between England and India at the Kennington Oval when he dropped Harry Brook, who, after the chance, went on to smash a fine century along with Joe Root to put them ahead in the contest by a huge margin.

Siraj again had the chance to deliver the goods on the fifth day. He drew the first blood of the day with the wicket of Jamie Smith, who got an outside edge into the hands of the wicket-keeper, before Jamie Overton was wrapped on the pads to be given leg before the stumps. He also got the last wicket of Gus Atkinson to claim the six-run victory to draw the series.

See Also: List of prize winners from ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

After the end of the game, there was a moment when Dhruv Jurel funnily asked him the old famous question of ‘I only believe in?’ to which the Hyderabad-born expressed ‘Myself’. It was from the T20 World Cup 2024 victory when Jasprit Bumrah shouldered them towards the win with a couple of fine overs, as Siraj said, ‘I will believe in Jassi bhai.’

Watch: Mohammed Siraj makes another huge statement after victory in ENG vs IND 5th Test

Siraj finished the series as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps in five games at an average of 32.43, thanks to a couple of five-wicket and one four-wicket haul. But the best part was his intensity of running in for 185.3 overs throughout the series with the same energy, taking the responsibility in the absence of Bumrah.

because game changer player he is, only one guy @mdsirajofficial ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/P97z8xTL4z

— Dhruv Jurel (@dhruvjurel21) August 4, 2025

‘To be honest, it feels amazing. From Day 1, everyone fought hard, and the result is there to see. Very happy. The plan was to keep it simple and hit a consistent spot. Don't try too much, and if I can get wickets from there, it's a bonus and builds pressure. When I woke up today, I had the belief that I could do it; I had the belief system. I took a photo from Google, which read I can do it and put it as my wallpaper.’ Siraj expressed in the presentation.

‘I was just thinking that I should bowl in the right areas. To be honest, I didn't think that I would take the (Brook) catch and step on the rope. It was a match-changing moment. Yes, I always believed that I would do it for the team.’ He claimed at the end of the game.

India wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel pulled off a sensational catch to dismiss England’s batting mainstay Joe Root on Day 4 (Sunday, August 3) of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval in London. The crucial breakthrough came on the last ball of the 73rd over in England’s second innings, dealing a major blow to the hosts' chances.

Root was lured into a loose shot outside off stump to a short-of-a-length delivery from Prasidh Krishna, which moved slightly away after pitching. The ball took the edge and flew sharply to Jurel’s right. Showing great reflexes and agility, the young wicketkeeper dove full stretch and completed a superb catch. Root, who had anchored England’s chase with a composed 105 off 152 balls (12 fours), walked back to a warm reception as England stood at 337/6 chasing 374.

Earlier, England had ended Day 3 at 50/1 after 13.5 overs, with Ben Duckett looking solid on 34. Zak Crawley was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj late in the day. On the fourth morning, Duckett went on to complete a fifty before falling to Krishna for 54. Captain Ollie Pope failed to capitalize, departing for 27 off Siraj’s bowling. Joe Root then stitched a vital stand with Harry Brook, who made the most of a lucky escape.

Root-Brook stand revives England before India strike back

Harry Brook and Joe Root added a terrific 195 runs off 211 deliveries for the fourth wicket. Brook, who was caught by Siraj at long leg but saved by a boundary rope contact, made India pay with a blistering 111 off 98 balls. After Brook's dismissal, Jacob Bethell managed only 5 runs before falling, putting the onus back on Root.

Watch the video here

Fighting till the very end! 🦁#TeamIndia gets the centurion Root! India need 3 wickets, England need 36 runs to win! #ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST, DAY 4 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/FCqOnPjSft pic.twitter.com/EoZp9IvGqA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 3, 2025

See Also: Kavya Maran joins Telangana sports policy panel alongside Indian sporting legends

Root brought up his 39th Test century and continued to fight until Jurel’s brilliance ended his stay. At the time of writing, England was 339/6 after 76 overs, needing 35 runs to win. Jamie Smith (2*) and Jamie Overton (0*) were at the crease, and with the scores so close, the match was set for a thrilling climax.

India head into the final Test at The Oval facing a 2–1 series deficit after a thrilling draw at Old Trafford. It was a Test that demanded character, and the Indian team responded with exactly that. Centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar rescued India after being reduced to 0 for 2 in the second innings and trailing by 311 runs.

But amid the fightback, one reality stood out: India’s bowling unit looked completely drained. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, both having bowled tirelessly all series, now appear in serious need of rest. With the series still up for grabs, the fifth Test presents not just an opportunity to level the score but also to inject fresh energy and test deserving names on the fringes. Here are five players who have earned a spot in India’s playing XI for the all-important clash at The Oval:

1. Arshdeep Singh 

Arshdeep Singh is yet to play a Test for India, but with the current workload management concerns around Bumrah and Siraj, this could be the perfect time. The 25-year-old left-arm seamer has built up solid red-ball credentials in the domestic circuit, having picked up 48 wickets in 13 first-class matches at an average of 23.91. His five-for (5/35) against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy was a timely reminder of his readiness.

More importantly, Arshdeep’s natural angle and swing would add a crucial point of difference to India’s pace attack, which has been predominantly right-arm throughout the series. With overcast conditions likely at The Oval, he could exploit the early movement and trouble England’s aggressive top order.

2. Kuldeep Yadav 

Kuldeep Yadav has warmed the bench throughout the series, but if there was ever a time to unleash him, it’s now. His overall Test stats are outstanding: in just 10 matches, Kuldeep has taken 41 wickets at an average of 21.09, with best figures of 5/40. Despite not being a regular in recent years, his match-winning potential with the red ball is undeniable.

Given how the Old Trafford pitch began to turn on Day 5, The Oval is likely to offer even more assistance to spinners late in the game. Kuldeep could be the attacking spin option India needs to complement the control of Jadeja and Sundar. His inclusion would give India a proper three-pronged spin attack capable of running through England’s middle order.

ALSO SEE: Why is the Asia Cup needed for Pakistan Cricket to survive ?

3. Dhruv Jurel 

With Rishabh Pant ruled out of the fifth Test due to a fractured toe, Dhruv Jurel will walk into the XI as the wicketkeeper-batter. And there’s no better candidate. Jurel already impressed in the home series against England earlier in the year, scoring 153 runs in 2 Tests at a superb average of 76.50, with a highest score of 90. His glove work was assured, and he showed remarkable composure under pressure.

Even during the India A vs England Lions series, Jurel struck scores of 94, 53*, and 52, a streak that underlined his readiness for the longest format. He’s calm, technically compact, and has the temperament to bat with both the top and lower order, something India will desperately need in Pant’s absence.

4. Prasidh Krishna 

Prasidh Krishna is another player who has been in the Test setup for a while but is yet to make his debut. While Anshul Kamboj looked underwhelming on debut, Prasidh could bring a different threat with his high-arm action and steep bounce. His first-class numbers are solid: 49 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 19.18.

With India looking to rest both Bumrah and Siraj, there’s a strong chance the Oval Test could mark Prasidh’s long-awaited debut. The pitch at The Oval tends to offer bounce and carry, something that could suit his style perfectly. With Arshdeep moving it, Prasidh hitting the deck, and Akash Deep offering control, India could have a balanced pace trio for the showdown.

5. Abhimanyu Easwaran 

The only uncapped player on this list with extensive India A experience, Abhimanyu Easwaran, continues to remain on the selectors’ radar. The 29-year-old opener boasts a first-class average of 46.83 across 89 matches, with 20 hundreds and a highest score of 233. Despite being part of several Test squads, he’s yet to receive his debut cap.

India’s top order looked fragile at times in the series, especially after early losses in the fourth Test. If the team chooses to rest Rohit Sharma or drop an out-of-form Patidar, Easwaran could finally get his long-overdue opportunity. He’s a compact, no-fuss batter built for the rigours of Test cricket, and this might just be his moment.

India showed great character in salvaging a draw at Old Trafford, but the fifth Test is more than just about pride. It’s about rebalancing workloads, preparing the bench for future overseas tours, and giving richly deserving players their due. Whether it’s Kuldeep’s guile, Arshdeep’s swing, Prasidh’s bounce, Jurel’s resilience, or Easwaran’s consistency, each of these names has something valuable to offer. At The Oval, where results often go down to the wire, India’s fresh faces could be the ones to script the final act of this hard-fought series.