Who is Dhruv Jurel? All you need to know about newly inducted wicket-keeper in India's test squad for England series

Dhruv Jurel earned his maiden India test call-up for upcoming England series.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) picked a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match test series against England. Ajit Agarkar’s led selection panel decided to include three wicket-keepers in Indian team for the upcoming test series. Dhruv Jurel has earned his maiden India test call-up. Uttar Pradesh wicket-keeper has been rewarded for his magnificent performances in domestic cricket.

Along with Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul and KS Bharat are also included in India’s test squad. Indian team management will be looking to give KL Rahul a slot in the middle-order while either KS Bharat or Dhruv Jurel might be handed the wicket-keeping gloves. The first test against England will be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on 25th January.

Who is Dhruv Jurel?

Dhurv Jurel came into the limelight with his stellar run in Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2023. Jurel became Royals’ most trusted finisher, he played a few blistering knocks while batting down the order for the franchise. Born in Agra, Dhruv Jurel didn’t have a smooth road in his cricketing journey. Jurel’s comes from a very humble background.

Dhruv Jurel loved the game of cricket from the start and enrolled himself in Agra’s Eklavya Cricket Academy when he was in school without informing his parents. Jurel informed his father later on. His father was not keen to push his son towards cricket but after looking at Jurel’s interest in the game, he borrowed 800 ruppes to buy him a bat.

When Jurel asked for a cricket kit which costed about 6 to 7000, his father asked him to stop playing. Jurel’s mother came forward to support his son and she sold her gold chain to buy him a cricket kit. Dhruv Jurel’s father served in Indian army and he fought in the Kargil War. Dhruv Jurel played local club cricket in Agra without informing his father.

After a stellar run in IPL, Dhruv Jurel made his List-A debut for India A side against UAE A in the Emerging Asia Cup played in Sri Lanka in July 2023. Dhruv Jurel was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL Mega Auction 2022. Royals paid only 20 Lakh INR to include the youngster on their side. Jurel has played 13 matches and scored 152 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 172.73 so far.

Dhruv Jurel has played 15 first class games for Uttar Pradesh and scored 790 runs at an average of 46.47, Jurel scored 189 runs in seven List A innings. Dhruv Jurel was also part of India U19 side in the U19 World Cup 2020 as the vice-captain of the side. He recently scored 63 runs against Kerala in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.

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