Image source: X / Twitter handle Dhruv Jurel
Born into a lower-middle-class family, the son of a Kargil war veteran, this young cricketer’s journey to prominence is a tale of resilience and passion. Initially aspiring to join the army like his father, he found his true calling in cricket—a path he had to pursue in secret due to his father’s disapproval. The secret nearly unraveled when his father, reading the newspaper, mentioned a cricketer with the same name who had scored runs, unaware it was his own son.
The sacrifice of Dhruv Jurel’s mother with her selling her gold chain to buy the youngster a first cricket kit, further fuelled his dreams. In 2019, he led India to the Under-19 Asia Cup title and became vice-captain for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. This remarkable journey belongs to none other than Dhruv Jurel.
Many of us didn’t know about Dhruv Jurel’s incredible journey until the Ranchi Test against England, where he fought against all odds to save India from a home Test defeat in just his second match.
His resilience and determination stood out as he battled the English bowlers and earned the Man of the Match award. This fighting spirit was in his blood, passed down from his father, a Kargil war veteran.
Dhruv’s first love was the army, and it taught him discipline, courage, and the strength to never give up. These qualities, inherited from his father, became the foundation of his success in cricket, helping him rise above every challenge life threw at him.
The IPL gave the world a glimpse of Dhruv Jurel’s incredible hitting abilities, where he fully utilized the Impact Player rule to showcase his power-hitting skills and deliver big blows. However, few knew about his talent for adapting to tough situations, especially in the challenging red-ball format.
When an opportunity arose due to Rishabh Pant’s injury, Dhruv Jurel grabbed it with both hands, impressing everyone with his batting and wicketkeeping in the three Tests against England. His hard work and relentless grind at the domestic level were finally paying off, proving that he was more than ready for the big stage.
In the past 20-25 days, Dhruv Jurel’s stock in world cricket has risen significantly, thanks to two gritty knocks under challenging conditions at the MCG during India A’s series against Australia A.
These performances not only showcased his ability to thrive under pressure but also earned him a spot ahead of Sarfaraz in the playing XI for the first Test at Perth.
From making a mark as an Impact Player in the IPL to now securing his place in India’s Test squad, Jurel’s journey reflects his relentless hard work and determination. As he steps onto the world stage, this is his moment to seize the opportunity and shine brightly.
Dhruv Jurel may not have the swashbuckling style or the swagger of Rishabh Pant, but he possesses qualities that are rare in today’s cricket. His ability to fight through challenging situations while staying cool and composed stands out—a trait he has emulated from his idol, MS Dhoni.
This calm demeanour and resilience under pressure are what set Dhruv Jurel apart and are bound to take him to great heights in the future.
