‘I would like to dedicate…’: Dhruv Jurel talks about possible India debut in Rajkot

Young India wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel is expected to make his international debut in the third Test match against England. Ahead of the next Test, the 23-year-old talked about his journey in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “If I get the India cap, I would like to dedicate this to my father because he is my hero. Whenever I feel confused, I will talk to him. He guides me. He is my hero,” Dhruv Jurel said in the video shared by BCCI.

Jurel garnered attention after his impactful performances for Rajasthan Royals during last season’s Indian Premier League (IPL). He was included in India’s Test squad in the absence of Ishan Kishan. KS Bharat started in the first two Tests but his lack of runs could force the selectors to offer Jurel a chance in the third Test.

Some reports suggest that Jurel was involved in an intense training session at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, where the third Test will be played. Jurel was closely monitored by Team India captain Rohit Sharma. After displaying his wicketkeeping skills, Jurel also was involved in a lengthy batting practice session.

Jurel is not just an IPL star as he has done the hard yards in first-class cricket and was in great touch in the Ranji Trophy. Jurel has become a proper middle-order batter and has already scored a double-hundred and quite a few half-centuries in 15 first-class matches.

In the same video, Jurel also spoke about the light-hearted exchange with fellow young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal. He shared his apprehension about his initial nerves when he joined the Indian cricket team, humorously recounting his strategic approach to boarding the team bus.

For India, there are plenty of selection headaches ahead of the third Test. With KL Rahul out of the match, Sarfaraz Khan could also make his debut and the middle order would be a highly inexperienced one. With the Test series currently tied at 1-1, India and England will be involved in the third match, set to start from Thursday, February 15.