Dhruv Jurel: Kargil war hero’s son becomes a thorn in England’s side

Dhruv Jurel, IND vs ENG

Dhruv Jurel is a rising star in Indian cricket who recently scored a stunning 90-run knock in the first inning and an unbeaten 39 runs in the second inning to take India home against England in Ranchi. With this win the men in blue have taken an unassessable lead of 3-1 in the 5-match Test series. The hero of the match was Dhruv Jurel, but do you know about him?

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Born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Dhruv Jurel comes from a family steeped in patriotism. His father Nem Singh is a retired soldier who fought in the Kargil War.

Despite his father’s preconceived aspirations to join the Navy, Dhruv’s passion for cricket proved simple. He pursued the game with unwavering commitment and eventually earned his stripes playing for Uttar Pradesh at the U-14 and U-16 levels. 2020 marked a landmark year for him, securing a spot in the Indian U-19 squad and serving as vice-captain for the U-19 World Cup. He also won the U-19 Asian Cup in the same year.

Dhruv’s skills blossomed further at some stage on his Ranji Trophy debut in 2022, in which he amassed 790 runs in 15 matches including a century and 5 half-centuries. This amazing performance caught the attention of Rajasthan Royals, who signed him for ₹ 20 lakh during the mega auction of IPL 2022. He made his IPL debut in 2023 and contributed 152 runs at a strike rate of 172.72. The Royals retained him for the upcoming season and showed their faith in his talent.

The right-hand batter further enhanced his reputation and turned into a part of the India A squad that toured South Africa in 2024, scoring 69 runs and 3 catches in one of the 4-day match. His brilliant performance earned him well – well deserved a call-up to the Test team against England where he impressed us all along with his 90-run knock in the Ranchi Test.

Dhruv Jurel adores MS Dhoni for his wicket-keeping ability, mainly for his patience and strategic thinking at the back of the stumps. Credits AB de Villiers for his batting inspiration and admires Virat Kohli’s willpower.

At the young age of 23, Dhruv has plenty of time to hone his talent and cement his role as a vital asset to the Indian cricket team for years to come.

Interesting information about Dhruv Jurel

  • His father Nem Singh is a retired Kargil war veteran.
  • Won the U-19 World Cup and the U-19 Asian Cup.
  • Acquired by Rajasthan Royals for ₹ 20 lakh in IPL 2022 mega auction.
  • Made his IPL debut in 2023 scoring 152 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 172.72.
  • He is retained by Rajasthan Royals for the 2024 season.
  • Admires cricketers MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli.