“My mother sold her gold chain to get me a cricket kit”: Dhruv Jurel talks on his struggles after maiden India call-up for England Tests.

On Friday, January 12, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) disclosed the squad for the initial two Tests of the forthcoming five-match series, set to commence on January 25. Notably, the 16-player squad witnessed a significant alteration with the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel, the wicket-keeper batter from Rajasthan Royals, marking his debut in the Indian team.

Jurel, a 22-year-old talent, gained prominence during his tenure with the Royals in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). His noteworthy performance included accumulating 152 runs in 11 innings at an impressive strike rate of 172.73. Beyond the glitz of T20 cricket, Jurel boasts commendable first-class statistics, maintaining an average of 46.47 across the 15 matches he has participated in.

Post his selection, Jurel candidly shared insights into his journey, shedding light on the challenges he faced and the sacrifices made by his mother to support his cricketing aspirations. In an interview with Dainik Jagran.

Jurel said “I attended Army School, and during the holidays, I considered joining a cricket camp at Eklavya Stadium in Agra. I filled out the registration form without informing my dad. When he eventually found out, he scolded me. Despite this, he managed to borrow Rs 800 to purchase a cricket bat for me. Later, when I mentioned needing a complete cricket kit, my dad inquired about the cost, which I estimated to be around six to seven thousand rupees. He suggested I quit playing, but I was determined. I locked myself in the bathroom. In a surprising turn, my mom sold her gold chain to buy me the cricket kit.”