22-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel received a dream call-up to the Indian Test team when he was chosen in the squad for the upcoming two-match series against England. Jurel has impressed at the domestic level in recent years with consistent performances for Uttar Pradesh and India A that have seen his stock steadily rise. However, nothing could have fully prepared him for the elation of getting the nod for the national senior squad.
As India A were competing in a tour match against England Lions on the day of the squad announcement, Jurel was unknowingly on the cusp of a life-changing moment. While relaxing at the team hotel, his friends gave him a call to break the stunning news that he had been selected for the high-profile England series. Jurel admitted he was overwhelmed with happiness upon learning of this career milestone. Coming from a humble background, the Agra-born player never could have dreamed of joining the illustrious Indian Test team so early in his journey.
When Jurel informed his father, a retired army man, about the selection, the reaction was one filled with immense pride and joy. In a telling moment, Jurel said to his father “Selected in Rohit and Virat bhaiya’s Indian team”, referring respectfully to Indian superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who he will now share a dressing room with. For his family, who supported Jurel’s cricketing ambitions through difficult financial times, seeing their son achieve this level of success with the national team was an emotional moment they will never forget.
While Jurel is being seen as a backup wicketkeeping option, often playing second fiddle is no discouragement for the ambitious youngster. He understands the scale of being part of the Indian Test squad and is focused on making the most of any opportunity that comes his way through diligent practice and improvement of his skills. Most of all, Jurel is thrilled at the prospect of rubbing shoulders with and learning from iconic cricketers like Rohit, Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid on a daily basis.
Regardless of his potential playing role, selection in such a high-profile tour represents a giant leap forward in Jurel’s promising career. He joins an elite group of cricketers to have represented India at the senior international level. Though only 22, Jurel has already shown impressive consistency and form in the longer formats through his domestic first-class record and performances for India A teams. His gutsy batting displays as a finisher in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy and IPL season with Rajasthan Royals have also spotlighted his big match temperament.
As a lifelong lover of Test cricket, the opportunity to don the national whites and experience the highest level of the game is a reward in itself for all the hardships faced by Jurel along his journey. He considers it a privilege just to learn from being around stalwarts who have won India countless laurels in this purest form of cricket. For an aspiring young cricketer like Jurel, the chance to test his skills against the likes of England and establish himself as a future India player is the stuff childhood dreams are made of. Though he takes one step at a time with a humble approach, the future looks decidedly bright for India’s newest male wicketkeeping sensation.
