Dhruv Jurel Player Profile: A Rising Star in Indian Cricket

Dhruv Jurel, the son of a Kargil war veteran, was initially inclined to join the army, but he eventually fell in love with cricket. His father, initially against his cricketing ambitions, was unaware of his son’s passion for the game. One day, while reading the newspaper, he mentioned a cricketer named Dhruv Jurel, who had scored several runs. Jurel, feeling nervous, kept silent, not revealing the connection.

Jurel’s journey to cricket was challenging. Born into a lower-middle-class family, his mother sold her gold chain to buy him his first cricket kit. But things soon began to improve. In 2019, Jurel led India to the Under-19 Asia Cup title in Sri Lanka. His leadership qualities were recognized, and he was named the vice-captain for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

Early Career and IPL Debut

Despite limited domestic experience, Rajasthan Royals (RR) bought Dhruv Jurel ahead of IPL 2022 for a base price of INR 20 lakh. However, he did not get a chance to play that season. Jurel made his IPL debut in 2023, coming in as an Impact Player. He immediately impressed everyone with his powerful batting, scoring 32 not out off 15 balls against Punjab Kings. Though the Royals lost the match, Jurel had secured his place in the squad.

In his sixth first-class match, Jurel scored a remarkable 249 runs against Nagaland while opening the innings for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season. His domestic performances earned him a call-up to the Indian team during England’s tour of India in 2024. In his Test debut in Rajkot, he scored a vital 46 runs, and in the next Test in Ranchi, he scored 90 and 39 not out, earning the Player of the Match award.

Dhruv Jurel IPL Factfile

Dhruv Jurel was signed by Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2022 for a base price of INR 20 lakh, but he did not get a chance to play that season. He made his IPL debut in 2023, where he quickly made a mark with his power-hitting ability in the death overs. He finished the season with 152 runs in 11 innings, at an average of 21.71 and a strike rate of 172.72. Among players who scored at least 100 runs, his strike rate was the seventh highest.

In IPL 2024, Jurel’s performances improved further. He scored 195 runs in 11 innings at an average of 24.37, including two half-centuries. However, his strike rate dropped to 138.29. Later that year, he made his T20I debut during India’s tour of Zimbabwe.

With his continuous growth and valuable contributions, Rajasthan Royals retained Jurel for INR 14 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Conclusion

Dhruv Jurel is a rising star in Indian cricket. Known for his aggressive batting and wicket-keeping skills, he has become a valuable asset for both Rajasthan Royals and the national team. His journey from a challenging background to in