Dhruv Jurel is an Indian cricketer who has represented India Under-19 in many international tournaments. He represented Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit. He played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Dhruv Chand Jurel [1]UPCA aka Dhruv Jurel was born on Sunday, 21 January 2001 (age 23 years; as of 2024) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. He studied at Army Public School, Agra. His father wanted him to study hard, crack the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam, and become an Army officer; however, he was interested in sports since childhood. When he was in 8th standard, he attended a 60-day sports camp and intended to join swimming classes; however, he saw some boys playing cricket and joined a cricket camp without telling his parents. His father later read an article about him in a newspaper and tried to coax him into playing other sports; however, Dhruv convinced his father about his ambitions. After that, his father started fully supporting him. Later, in an interview, his father talked about this and said,
He (Dhruv) was a kid when I retired. He needed full support at that age. He was adamant about becoming a cricketer. I respected his love for the sport. I did everything I could as a father. Today, I feel really proud when I see him wearing the India jersey. I will be happier the day my son wears the senior team jersey.”
He trained under coaches Parvendra Yadav at Springdale Cricket Academy, Agra and Abhay Singh at the Aster Cricket Academy, Noida Extension, Noida.
A childhood photo of Dhruv Jurel (holding the bat) with his sister
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest 42″, Waist 32″, Biceps 14″
Family
He was born in a Hindu family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Nem Singh Jurel, and his mother’s name is Rajani Jurel. His father is a 1999 Kargil War veteran and retired as a Havaldar from the Indian Army in 2008. His mother is a homemaker. He has a sister named Neeru Jurel.
Dhruv Jurel (third from left) with his father, Nem Singh Jurel (second from left), mother, Rajani Jurel (third from right), and sister, Neeru Jurel (second from right)
Wife
He is unmarried.
Relationships/Affairs
He is single.
Address
A-13, Defence Colony, Agra
Career
Domestic
In 2014, he played 6 matches in the Under-17 School National Cricket T20 Championship and scored more than 600 runs with four centuries and two half-centuries. He was later selected for the Uttar Pradesh Under-14 team and played 3 matches in the 2015 Under-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy and scored 152 runs with 137 runs in the final against Madhya Pradesh. He was selected for Uttar Pradesh Under-16 in 2015 and played in the 2015-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He was selected for the Uttar Pradesh Under-19 in 2018 and played in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Vinoo Mankad Trophy. He scored his maiden domestic Under-19 one-day half-century on 16 October 2018 against Jharkhand Under-19. He also played for Uttar Pradesh Under-19 in the 2018-19 Cooch Behar Trophy and scored 762 runs in 11 matches and took 51 catches.
Dhruv Jurel playing in a domestic match
He was selected for Uttar Pradesh in 2021 and played his debut T20 match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Punjab on 10 January 2021 and scored 23 runs off 30 balls. He played his debut Ranji match on 17 February 2022 against Vidarbha and scored 64 runs in the first innings and 4 runs in the second innings. He was selected for the Uttar Pradesh Under-25 team in 2022 for the CK Nayudu Trophy.
Dhruv Jurel practising wicketkeeping before a domestic match
International
Under-19
He was selected for India Under-19 and played in the 2019 England Tri-nation Under-19 Tournament and the 2019-20 Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Asia Cup. He was later selected for India Under-19 Blue and played in the 2018-19 Under-19 Challenger Trophy. He was selected for the India Under-19 A and played in the 2018-19 India Under-19 Quadrangular Tournament against India Under-19 B, South Africa Under-19, and Afghanistan Under-19. He was the vice-captain of the India Under-19 team in the 2019-20 ICC Under-19 World Cup. [2]The Hindu He captained the India Under-19 team in the Youth Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka from 3 to 15 September 2019.
Dhruv Jurel during the toss against Kuwait Under-19
Dhruv Jurel with then India Under-19 coach, Rahul Dravid
Test
Dhruv made his Test debut against England in Rajkot, Gujarat, India, on 15 February 2024.
Indian Premier League (IPL)
Dhruv Jurel was acquired by Rajasthan Royals in the 2022 mega-auction for the base price of Rs 20 lakhs. He did not play any match in the 2022 IPL; however, he made his debut in the following season on 5 April 2023 against Punjab Kings in Guwahati and scored 32 runs in 15 balls which included 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Dhruv Jurel playing in the 2023 IPL for Rajasthan Royals
He showed glimpses of his talent by scoring 34 runs in 16 balls, which included 2 fours and 2 sixes, against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 23 April 2023. He scored a quickfire 34 runs off 15 balls, which included 3 fours and 2 sixes, against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on 27 April 2023. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen praised his batting skills after his innings against CSK and said,
It is very difficult for the opposition to dominate. Jaiswal and Jos Buttler started beautifully, they (RR) finished the innings off well with Dhruv Jurel unbelievable, I mean what a talent that kid is.” [3]India Today
Dhruv Jurel won the Electric Striker of the Match award for his innings against CSK
Tattoo
He has got a tattoo inked on his left forearm.
Salary
In March 2024, he had a central contract with BCCI as a Group C player with an annual retainership fee of Rs. 1 crore. [4]Hindustan Times
Favourites
- Cricketer(s): Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli
- Shot: Inside out
- Film: 3 Idiots
- TV Series: Suits
- Book: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
- Song: The Scientist by Coldplay
- Cricket Ground: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Facts/Trivia
- He is a right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper.
- When he was 12 years old, he requested his father to buy him a cricket kit. When his father refused, he locked himself in the bathroom and said that he would leave the house. When his mother heard this, she gave her gold chain to his father to sell it off and buy him a cricket kit.
- He was an offspinner during his initial days; however, his coach Parvendra Yadav convinced him to become a full-time batsman and wicketkeeper. His coach also told him after seeing his talent that Dhruv would definitely play for India. [5]The New Indian Express
Dhruv Jurel with his coach, Parvendra Yadav
- He was the highest runscorer for Uttar Pradesh Under-19 in the 2019-20 Vinoo Mankad Trophy and scored 319 runs in 11 matches with the highest score of 79 runs. [6]Facebook – UPCA
- In 2017, he played in a T20 tournament between Delhi, Agra, and Madhya Pradesh and scored 100 runs in 21 balls in a match of the tournament.
- Dhruv Jurel revealed during an interview that he does not eat non-vegetarian food on Tuesday.
- In the match against Bangladesh in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa, he dismissed the Bangladeshi batsman Shahadat Hossain in a quick stumping which reminded the fans of MS Dhoni, and a few fans also said that he was better than Rishabh Pant. [7]DNA
Dhruv Jurel stumped Bangladesh’s Shahadat Hossain in a quickfire manner
- Apart from cricket, he likes to play Basketball, Table Tennis, and Badminton; he is a fan of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Dhruv Jurel likes to play basketball in his leisure time
- In April 2022, he was signed by Parth Jindal‘s venture JSW Sports as its exclusive athlete. [8]JSW Sports
- Dhruv was very elated after talking to MS Dhoni during the 2023 IPL and said that he wanted to be cool and calm like Dhoni. [9]The Tribune
Dhruv Jurel with MS Dhoni
- He recalled his struggles in an interview and said that his family always supported him. He said that when his gloves tore up, his father stitched them, and his sister dropped him and picked him up from the practice every day.
- He said during an interview that he did not give exams during childhood as he was busy practising cricket, hence his school principal called his father and said that Dhruv needed to choose between cricket and studies. While Dhruv feared that his father would not allow him to play cricket any further, his father told him to play cricket and not worry about anything else.
- He likes to play the guitar during his leisure time.
Dhruv Jurel playing the Guitar
- He is an animal lover and owns a pet dog.
Dhruv Jurel playing with his pet dog
References
