My cricket adventure has taken me this far thanks of the Rajasthan Royals, who took me from the bottom: Dhruv Jurel

National, 18 January 2024: During a calm Friday evening in Ahmedabad, amidst India A’s tour match versus England Lions, Dhruv Jurel’s phone was abruptly flooded with calls, messages, and notifications. He needed some time to accept and understand what happened during that time, but he eventually became aware of it.

Dhruv Jurel, a 22-year-old cricketer from Uttar Pradesh, who is a right-hand batter and wicketkeeper, has been selected to join the Indian Test squad for the upcoming England series. Jurel, who previously served as the vice-captain of the India U19 team and has emerged as a star player for the Royals, will now have the opportunity to interact with renowned players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Avesh Khan in the same dressing room.

We let Dhruv Jurel to enjoy the satisfaction of being chosen for a period of time, then subsequently interviewed him to gather additional information:

Q: What was your initial response upon receiving the news of your selection for the Indian team? Where were you located? What was the response of your parents?

A: I was astonished! I was a member of the India A team, participating in a 2-day encounter against the England Lions. The news was revealed during the late hours of the night. Upon learning about it, I promptly contacted my father to inform him, and his initial inquiry was, “Which specific Indian team?” Are you not already participating in a game for one of them? I replied, “The identical one in which Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma participate.” The concept was beyond his comprehension. I, too, found it difficult to believe!

Q. Did any member of the Royals contact you via phone or text message to offer their congratulations?

Yes, I had a conversation with Zubin Bharucha, the Director of High Performance, and received messages from Kumar Sangakkara, the Director of Cricket, Siddhartha Lahiri, the Support Coach and Head of Coaching at RR Academy, Giles Lindsay, the Director of Analytics and Technology, and Dishant Yagnik, the Fielding Coach.

They all expressed great joy and satisfaction on my behalf. Zubin sir has consistently supported me, and I distinctly recall him informing me some time ago that my opportunity was approaching imminently.

I received a text message from Jos (Buttler) bhai as well, in which he expressed his pleasure at seeing me on the Indian team and acknowledged that there is still a significant journey ahead.

Q. In a recent interview, Kumar Sangakkara praised your strong work ethic and demeanor upon learning about your selection for the Indian team. What is the sensation of receiving such remarks from a renowned figure in the sport?

There is no information provided. Having perused it, I must express my sincere gratitude towards him and the Rajasthan Royals. The coaches, support staff, teammates, and entire franchise deserve full credit for our success. Thanks to them, I have made significant progress in my cricketing adventure. I was selected from the beginning, as I was far from being considered for the senior Indian squad. The support I have received from them has greatly contributed to my acquisition of the essential confidence. During the season I played, Sanju (Samson) bhai advised me to openly express myself without any concerns.

Q. In what ways have the Royals contributed to your growth as a player over the past year?

A. The franchise organizes numerous off-season camps to support us, not only before the IPL, but also throughout the year. These camps aim to enhance our performance in every tournament we participate in. I have found it really beneficial, particularly with the presence of Zubin Sir during practice sessions, as he consistently provides guidance on areas where I may make improvements.

The primary lesson I have learned from each camp is that there is always room for more accomplishment, particularly in a very competitive environment such as that of the Royals. Occasionally, I have dedicated uninterrupted periods of 7-8 hours to diligently practice and improve a certain skill set in a controlled environment. It aids in maintaining concentration and being thoroughly prepared for any potential opportunities.

Q. Reflecting on your career thus far, from playing for India U19 in limited-overs cricket to representing India A and now the senior men’s squad in red-ball cricket, what are your thoughts?

A. Being a member of the India U19 team, I acquired extensive experience by participating in matches held in foreign environments and on various types of playing surfaces. During my time with the Royals, I experienced a successful inaugural season in the IPL. And that concluded the white-ball cricket matches. However, with the introduction of the lengthier format, the situation changed significantly. It required a significant amount of time for me to acclimate to the requirements of red-ball cricket. However, due to extensive practice, rigorous training, and early exposure, I possess the assurance that I am capable of performing proficiently in all three formats.

A. You will shortly be joining the Indian Test squad. What are your anticipated outcomes from the series, cohabiting in a locker room with experienced players and your other teammates from the Royals?

A. The primary knowledge I aim to acquire from this course is the ability to cultivate the mental resilience required to thrive at the utmost level. Many players receive invitations to join a team, but only a select number are able to maintain their position in the long term. When you gain visibility in a larger public sphere, your performances are subject to ongoing evaluation and scrutiny. I am genuinely interested in understanding the strategies employed by these athletes to cope with challenging days, handle criticism, and manage pressure. I will attempt to assimilate all of it.

Q. You and Yashasvi Jaiswal have had concurrent cricketing trajectories, you are colleagues at the Royals and now you will be reunited in the Indian Test team’s dressing room. What are your emotions and have you two communicated since the announcement of your selection?

A. Yashasvi Jaiswal and I have a longstanding relationship. During our U19 days, we engaged in joint activities and consistently experienced a great deal of enjoyment. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share this experience with him as well. He was among the initial individuals to send me a text message and express his congratulations, stating “You truly deserve it, my brother. I am extremely pleased for you.”

Q. Reflecting on your journey thus far and your future aspirations, what is the one guiding principle that you have consistently adhered to, which has facilitated your development as a cricketer?

A. I believe it entails displaying a persistent attitude in the face of numerous challenges. During my childhood, I consistently displayed a strong determination to engage in cricket. While acknowledging the significance of studies, I harbored an innate desire to pursue the sport. After some persuasion, my parents eventually agreed, and my father took the initiative to assist me.

Having attended an Army school, I experienced the phenomenon of shorter days during winters, particularly in the northern regions. Instead of returning home after school and changing into my cricket attire, my father would deliver the clothes to the school. I would then change in the restroom, hastily proceed to the academy to engage in play, and then return home by nightfall. By doing so, I would gain an additional two hours to dedicate to practice, which proved to be exceedingly beneficial for me in the past.

Despite encountering financial limitations and my own obstinacy, my family consistently provided me with assistance, for which I am perpetually thankful. My father would mend ripped batting gloves, provide a suspended ball in the room for me to practice hitting, and my mother would soak nuts to ensure I had sufficient energy. Every member of my family is an ardent cricket enthusiast, so they fully supported me, albeit after some time and persuasion.

Q. What specific goals or milestones do you have in mind that you expect to reach in 2024?

A. Continuously improving on a daily basis. I have derived significant advantages from this. I refrain from establishing excessive expectations for myself; instead, I prioritize enhancing my capabilities. Initially, my sole intention in playing cricket was to derive pleasure from the sport, and I desire to persist in this pursuit.