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Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, whose stellar performances illuminated the recently concluded Test series against England, have merited prestigious positions in the latest central contracts awarded by the esteemed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This significant development transpired following the deliberations of the BCCI Apex Council convened on Monday (March 18), where their outstanding contributions to India’s resounding 4-1 triumph over England were duly acknowledged.
In the wake of the unveiling of the BCCI’s central contracts for the 2023-24 season in late February, it was stipulated that both would be considered for inclusion provided they participated in a minimum of three Tests during the ongoing season.
Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel: Inclusion in BCCI central contracts
Both Sarfaraz and Jurel made their indelible Test debuts during the third Test in Rajkot and admirably fulfilled the aforementioned criterion by featuring prominently in the fifth and final Test at the illustrious HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala earlier this month. Consequently, they have been accorded well-deserved slots within Group C of the BCCI’s central contracts, entailing an annual retainer of INR 1 crore.
Sarfaraz’s batting brilliance
Renowned for his proficiency in Mumbai’s domestic cricket circuit, Sarfaraz showcased his batting brilliance by notching up three half-centuries in five innings against the visiting English team captained by the illustrious Ben Stokes. Remarkably, two of these half-centuries were amassed during his debut Test appearance in Rajkot. The 26-year-old dynamo concluded the series with a commendable tally of 200 runs, boasting an impressive average of 50.
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Jurel’s vital contribution
Meanwhile, Jurel played a pivotal role with his crucial knock of 91 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test staged in Ranchi. His stellar performance proved instrumental in India’s recovery from an initial batting setback, ultimately propelling them to a crucial five-wicket victory and clinching the series. Additionally, Dhruv contributed an unbeaten 39 runs in the second innings of the same Test, thereby garnering the prestigious Player of the Match accolade.
Sarfaraz and Jurel join esteemed company
With the inclusion of Sarfaraz and Jurel, the cohort of players in Grade C has been augmented from 15 to 17. They join the ranks of emerging talents such as Rinku Singh and Arshdeep Singh in this esteemed category, while the venerable A+ category continues to feature stalwarts of the game such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
