On Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the squad for the initial two Tests against England, marking the commencement of a five-match series later this month. Unfortunately, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami was omitted due to injury, and Ishan Kishan, who sought a break during India’s South Africa tour, was also not included. However, the spotlight shone on the selection of Dhruv Jurel, a player from Uttar Pradesh. The 22-year-old had previously been part of the India A squad that contested two matches against South African counterparts in December.
Jurel showcased his prowess with a notable 69 in the second match at Benoni and, more recently, contributed a score of 63 for Uttar Pradesh against Kerala in a Ranji Trophy first-round group game at Alappuzha. His inclusion in the squad is as the third wicketkeeper.
Emerging from humble beginnings, Dhruv Jurel’s narrative is truly inspiring. Having started in an Army School, he decided to join a cricket camp at the Eklavya Stadium in Agra during holidays, without initially informing his father. Despite initial objections and financial constraints, his father eventually borrowed Rs 800 to purchase a cricket bat. When Dhruv expressed the need for a cricket kit costing around Rs six to seven thousand, his father was reluctant, but his mother sold her gold chain to fulfill his dream.
Recalling his journey, Dhruv Jurel shared with Dainik Jagran, “My friends told me that I got selected for the Indian team. When I informed them about my selection, they asked me, ‘which Indian team did I get selected for?’ I replied, ‘the one with Rohit bhaiya and Virat Bhaiya.’ My entire family became emotional upon hearing this.”
The squad for the first two Tests against England includes: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), KS Bharat (Wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-Captain), Avesh Khan.
