Young Dhruv Jorel, age 22, had a remarkable day on January 12, 2024. For the first time, the keeper-batter was added to the Indian Test lineup. This 16-member team will battle England starting January 25, 2024, in the first couple of Tests.
In February 2022, Dhruv Jurel got his start in First Class (FC) cricket as a keeper-batsman. His career is impressive so far. With 19 times at bat in FC, Jurel scored 790 runs, boasting an average of 46.47. He notched up a double century and five half-centuries. Add to that, he’s made 34 catches and two successful stumpings.
He’s delivered strong shows for Uttar Pradesh (UP) in recent seasons. This led to his first invitation to join the national team.
In light of that, let’s take a look at Dhruv Jurel’s best three first-class cricket knocks.
1. 249 vs Nagaland
Dhruv Jurel’s FC record-high 249 vs Nagaland is his best. In a four-day Ranji Trophy match that began on December 20, 2022, at Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima, he accomplished this accomplishment.
When the innings was declared, Jurel, who often bats in the middle order, led his side to a total of 551 for the loss of four wickets by smashing a double century at the start of the innings. UP won the match by an innings and 230 runs after putting Nagaland out for 136 and 185 in each of the two innings.
Returning to Dhruv Jurel’s kock, the young player scored 249 runs from 329 balls, including 26 boundaries and two maximums, displaying excellent skills and patience at the top of the order. Jurel took the inexperienced and foolish Nagaland bowling assault to task. With a huge century at the top of the order, the young player validated the management’s trust in him.
2. 64 on debut against Vidarbha
For each cricket player, their first inning is usually remarkable, and for a young Jurel it was no exception. On February 17, 2022, he made his debut at Sultanpur against Vidarbha.
After his side had lost five wickets for just 169 runs, he batted at number seven and came out to bat. On his debut, Dhruv Jurel scored a useful 64 runs with 11 boundaries, but he didn’t appear to be phased.
During his first innings, he showed no signs of nervousness as he and Akshdeep Nath put up 85 runs for the sixth wicket. UP scored 301 in the first innings thanks to Jurel’s sustained scoring after Nath was removed from the game.
Even though the game ended in a tie, Dhruv Jurel showed promise as a future star in Indian domestic cricket.
3. 63 vs Kerala
For Dhruv Jurel, 2024 got off to a good start. After scoring just 124 runs in their Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at Alappuzha, UP lost half of their team.
With a patient 63 runs off 123 balls, Jurel led his side to a good first-inning total of 302 after coming out to bat at number seven.Together with Rinku Singh, he scored 63 runs and put on 123 runs for the sixth wicket. He put up a lot of effort throughout his knock, smashing five boundaries and one maximum.
Dhruv Jurel was one of the players that made sure his team won the game despite a first innings advantage by playing a mature knock, even though the game finished in a tie.
