Karthik jokes Pant should share match fees with Jurel after glovework cameo

During Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, former India wicket keeper Dinesh Karthik jokingly suggested that Rishabh Pant should split his match fee with stand-in keeper Dhruv Jurel, following Jurel’s impressive work behind the stumps after Pant’s injury. The comment brought smiles amidst tense play.

 

Pant injured his left index finger on Day 1 when attempting a catch off Jasprit Bumrah. Although he continued batting, he was forced out of wicketkeeping duties the following day. 

 

Under new ICC like-for-like substitute rules, Dhruv Jurel took over and instantly made an impact—snapping up a sharp catch to dismiss England’s Ollie Pope off the first ball of a session on Day 1.

 

Jurel went on to finish with three catches and quietly excelled throughout Day 4, earning praise for his agility and composure under pressure.

 

On-air, Karthik intervened with: “Rishabh Pant should pay a portion of his match fees to Dhruv Jurel. This was said in the sense that Jurel was able to easily slip into that space and make such significant contributions. The instance served as a reminder that lifelong friendships and mischievous bonding exist even in the game of elite cricket.

 

Jurel, 24, made his debut in early 2024 and has since been India’s back-up keeper, emerging ahead of Ishan Kishan and KS Bharat. His outing at Lord’s is regarded as a breakthrough moment under Test pressure.

 

Karthik’s quip captured the spirit of the moment: Jurel stepped up when needed and earned a special shoutout. While India prepares for the final day, Jurel’s gloves have made a memorable statement—with a joke on fees adding plenty of charm to the high-stakes Test.