On a scorching Sunday afternoon at a restaurant in Jaipur, Dhruv Jurel, the younger wicketkeeper-batter, is gracefully balancing his mealtime with fan interactions — signing autographs and posing for selfies.Debuting within the 4-1 Take a look at sequence win in opposition to England at residence, Jurel’s composure below stress underscored his readiness for the massive stage. But he stays grounded, attributing his success to the unwavering backing of his IPL crew, Rajasthan Royals.Noticed and nurtured by the franchise three seasons in the past, Jurel honed his abilities below the steering of Zubin Bharucha, the Excessive-Efficiency Director.Because the son of a Kargil conflict veteran, Jurel’s give attention to steady enchancment defines his method. The 23-year-old from Agra needs to repay Rajasthan Royals’ religion in him. ‘I keep asking myself whether I am moving forward and taking my game to the next level, as I believe that we compete with ourselves and not with anyone else’ – Dhruv Jurel
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AFP
‘I keep asking myself whether I am moving forward and taking my game to the next level, as I believe that we compete with ourselves and not with anyone else’ – Dhruv Jurel
| Picture Credit score:
AFP
Are you able to summarise your journey from being a rookie to incomes a Take a look at cap for India prior to now 12 months?It was an sudden journey. After being on the bench for a season, I made my debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2023, and to be sincere, I used to be not considering too far forward. My solely goal was to play as many matches as potential within the IPL and make my crew win. So, I’d put together for about eight to 9 hours a day, even in the course of the low season. I knew that I couldn’t be eager about what can occur sooner or later, however I centered on protecting myself prepared for any alternative.Since my father was within the Indian Military, I at all times wished to affix the Armed Forces or the Indian Navy, however that didn’t occur. Since then, I wished to serve the nation by enjoying cricket.So sure, the final 12 months has made me realise kahan se kahan leke jaati hai zindagi (you by no means know the place life takes you), and all I’ve is gratitude. The journey has not solely boosted my confidence however has additionally made me perceive that one ought to by no means draw back from working onerous. The remainder will comply with.It’s an amazing feeling to have performed Take a look at cricket for India. For me, it’s the last word format of the sport, and there’s a sweetness to it: as you play over 5 days, you’ll be able to by no means take issues straightforward, and when the onerous work that the crew places in over the 5 days will get rewarded with a win, you’re feeling the happiest.Within the England Take a look at sequence, your sturdy wicketkeeping and batting earned reward, whereas banter with teammate Sarfaraz Khan unsettled the visiting crew…( Laughs) These are regular issues. As a wicketkeeper, it’s my job to gauge the batter’s motion and accordingly alert the bowlers. However in Dharamsala, it was Sarfaraz who predicted that Ollie Pope would step out, and that evaluation helped each me and Kuldeep (Yadav).As a batter, I’ve realised that whereas on the crease, if somebody continuously talks behind your again, you form of lose your focus. So, we adopted the same method. The intention was to annoy the English batters by continuously speaking. Thoda kaan khana (Being in somebody’s ears) is nice at occasions as a result of it not solely breaks the batter’s focus but in addition permits the bowling crew to search out breakthroughs. So, once we are on the pitch, we make it some extent to continuously speak from the again and trouble the batters. That trick appeared to have labored in opposition to England. The large leap: Earlier this 12 months, Dhruv Jurel, Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter, earned his maiden call-up to the India facet.
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AFP
The large leap: Earlier this 12 months, Dhruv Jurel, Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batter, earned his maiden call-up to the India facet.
| Picture Credit score:
AFP
Wicketkeeping just isn’t a simple job, particularly catching edges and making fast stumpings. Did you give attention to particular areas to organize for this problem in Take a look at cricket?It’s all about observe. Issues get a bit tough in red-ball cricket as a result of it’s essential to decide a swinging supply. In Assessments, after 80 overs, you’re taking a brand new ball, so it’s one other problem to adapt to it.Whereas batting in the course of the Take a look at sequence, I even confronted new balls, so it’s essential to be prepared for these conditions.Since I’m a middle-order batter, I hardly get to face the brand new ball within the white-ball format, so I can nonetheless prepare with previous balls. However you’ll be able to’t afford to do this in red-ball cricket. In Assessments, it’s essential to face new balls or be able to face reverse swing. So, one must practise onerous. Adaptability is the important thing. You could have a clear-cut imaginative and prescient and method issues in another way for red-ball and white-ball cricket.How do you deal with the stress?A 12 months in the past, I’d really feel the stress or be nervous forward of a giant recreation. However ever since I’ve performed for Rajasthan Royals and the Indian crew, I don’t really feel any stress. When you do a actuality examine, you will see that that no cricketer might keep an upward graph ceaselessly in his profession. Similar to success, failures are additionally a part of the sport, they usually come abruptly.I additionally know that if I don’t lead a disciplined life, take issues straightforward, or turn into a bit lackadaisical in my coaching regime, there’s a chance of downfall. Therefore, you will need to hold working onerous as a result of that’s in your management and never crib in regards to the uncontrollables.You stated that these few weeks with the Indian crew have been a studying expertise. What did you study?I acquired an opportunity to rub shoulders with among the legends of the sport and choose their brains. It was additionally a actuality examine for me. Finally, it’s about sustainability. Lots of gamers have featured for India, however not everybody might dangle in there, so I want to make sure that I don’t get carried away. I genuinely consider that jo bhi milestones banaya hai, woh toh insaan hello banaya hai (milestones are set by human beings in spite of everything), so if they will do it, why can’t I? And, who is aware of, I can do even higher than them. Everybody has their very own story; it’s about the way you write it.With Rishabh Pant and Okay. L. Rahul again within the combine, the competitors has gone up for the wicketkeeper-batter’s slot. Do you take pleasure in this wholesome competitors?I’m a giant fan of Kobe Bryant and the Mamba mentality, so every time I’m a bit low, I take heed to his previous podcasts and draw inspiration. I don’t see it as a contest as a result of, on the finish of the day, everyone seems to be enjoying for India and profitable matches. That’s what issues.I hold asking myself whether or not I’m transferring ahead and taking my recreation to the subsequent degree, as I consider that we compete with ourselves and never with anybody else.With the sport evolving, has the function of a wicketkeeper-batter turn into tougher, particularly in white-ball cricket?Each wicketkeeper-batter has his designated batting place, and other people usually criticise gamers with out understanding their job. Batting at No. 7 or No. 8 is at all times tough. I had a dialog with (MS) Dhoni bhaiya concerning this, and he informed me that “if you bat at No. 7 or No. 8, failures are certain. You need to cut out the noise and not think about what people say. If you manage to win two out of 10 games for your team, that’s enough…”These phrases impressed me rather a lot. Whenever you bat down the order in a high-pressure scenario, you don’t know what the bowlers are considering, and you’ll’t afford to waste time. Individuals usually take into account wicketkeepers as extra batters, nevertheless it’s not at all times straightforward to bat in tough conditions.( Smiles) The competitors will likely be there, however you simply have to focus in your recreation and transfer on. Rewarding outing: Dhruv Jurel was nimble on his ft and acrobatic in his actions behind the stumps.
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Getty Photos
Rewarding outing: Dhruv Jurel was nimble on his ft and acrobatic in his actions behind the stumps.
| Picture Credit score:
Getty Photos
Quickly after the Take a look at sequence in opposition to England acquired over, Rohit Sharma took to social media to put up an image with Sarfaraz, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. What has been the affect of Rohit in your profession thus far?Off the bottom, Rohit bhai treats us like his youthful brothers, however on the sector, he’s fairly strict, and people movies which have gone viral point out how strictly he manages the kids ( laughs). It’s enjoyable to be round Rohit bhai, as you get to study a lot from him.You may have labored with two powerful taskmasters: Rahul Dravid and Kumar Sangakkara. What have you ever realized from the 2?Once I was a part of the India U-19 crew, Rahul sir was my coach. So, after I entered the senior crew’s dressing room, I felt snug since he was round.I’ve labored with Sanga sir for 3 years. He by no means talks negatively, and even in tough occasions, he backs me. As a younger participant, you want safety, and Sanga sir has ensured that.Initially, your father was not in favour of you pursuing the sport, however now that you just’ve made it to India’s Take a look at crew, what’s the response again residence?Now individuals have began recognising me, and naturally, there’s a bit of monetary safety. Since my father is an Military man, he at all times believes in staying grounded, and I attempt to comply with in his footsteps. It’s a easy factor: aap ki cricket kitna chalegi, most 10 years, however once you transfer on from the sport, individuals will decide you as an individual.So, I attempt to be humble and sort and keep related to my roots.I do know what I needed to undergo to come back thus far. There have been occasions when individuals informed me that I used to be losing my time.However now, if I can encourage even two or three children from Agra, I’ll take into account that a large achievement. Paise toh aate jaatein rahenge (Cash will come and go), and in life, all you want is a few meals and peace, however nothing could be extra satisfying than inspiring children to chase their desires. I’ll proceed doing that.
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