Dhruv Jurel

Dhruv Jurel is an emerging Indian wicket-keeper-batter known for his calm temperament, sharp glove-work, and finishing ability in pressure situations. A right-handed batter from Agra, he made his mark early in India’s U-19 cricket setup before transitioning to domestic cricket with Uttar Pradesh. His remarkable progress has seen him represent Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and make his India debut in Test cricket in 2024. Known for his consistency and maturity beyond his years, Jurel is quickly becoming one of the most promising wicket-keeper-batters in India’s cricketing future.

Quick facts

  • Full name: Dhruv Chand Jurel
  • Born: 21 January 2001, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Height: 1.80 m
  • Role: Wicket-keeper-batter; Right-hand bat
  • Teams: India, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan Royals (IPL)

Early life

Dhruv Jurel was born in a modest family in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. His father, a Kargil war veteran, instilled in him the values of discipline and resilience. At the age of five, Jurel was involved in a traumatic accident that required surgery, a challenge that only strengthened his resolve. Despite facing financial hardships, his parents supported his cricketing dreams, with his father taking out loans to buy him equipment. Growing up in a town with limited cricketing infrastructure, Jurel moved to Noida to join a reputed academy where he trained under professional guidance. His relentless dedication led him through Uttar Pradesh’s junior teams, and he quickly rose through the ranks.

Jurel’s journey wasn’t easy, but his remarkable rise through adversity has earned him respect from his coaches and peers alike. His parents’ unwavering support and his own will to succeed have been crucial in shaping his cricketing career.

Personal life

Known for his humble personality, Jurel remains grounded despite his success. He often credits his family for their sacrifices, particularly his father, whose encouragement has been vital to his journey. Jurel maintains a disciplined lifestyle, staying focused on his fitness and technical skills. His approachable and reserved nature has earned him a solid reputation in the Indian cricket community.

He enjoys spending his time with family and close friends in Agra when not traveling for cricket. Jurel’s commitment to his roots and his grounded outlook allow him to remain focused on his cricketing ambitions without losing sight of his personal values.

Domestic Career

Jurel’s early exposure to competitive cricket came when he vice-captained the India U-19 team in the 2020 U-19 World Cup. Despite India finishing as runners-up, Jurel’s leadership abilities and cricketing intellect caught the attention of selectors. He made his domestic debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Uttar Pradesh in January 2021 and followed that up with his first-class debut in the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy.

In addition to his performances in domestic cricket, Jurel was named to India A’s squad in July 2023 for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, further elevating his profile. His consistent performances for Uttar Pradesh led to him being appointed Central Zone captain for the 2025–26 Duleep Trophy.

Domestic (FC & List A) career summary

Format Matches Runs Bat Avg 100s/50s HS Catches/Stumpings
First-class (FC) 24 1,462 48.73 1/12 249 64/6
List-A (LA) 10 189 47.25 0/2 77 16/2

Test career

Dhruv Jurel made his Test debut for India against England in February 2024. His debut was highly anticipated, and he didn’t disappoint, scoring a crucial 46 off 104 balls in Rajkot. In the following Test in Ranchi, he played a match-winning knock of 90 runs, rescuing India from a challenging situation. His calm under pressure and adaptability to changing match situations earned him the Player of the Match award in that Test. His ability behind the stumps was just as impressive, with Jurel keeping steadily in challenging conditions.

By mid-2025, Jurel had appeared in five Test matches, becoming a key member of the team for his consistent contributions both with the bat and behind the stumps.

Test summary

Matches Runs Bat Avg 100s/50s HS Catches/Stumpings
5 255 36.42 0/1 90 9/2

T20I career

Jurel earned his T20I cap for India against Zimbabwe in July 2024. In his brief T20I career, he has shown promise, particularly in his keeping skills and middle-order batting. He has had limited chances to showcase his full potential, but with time, he is expected to be a regular in India’s T20I squad.

T20I summary

Matches Runs Bat Avg 100s/50s HS Catches/Stumpings
4 12 4.00 0/0 6 4/1

IPL career

Dhruv Jurel made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2023, where he impressed in his debut match with a rapid 32* off 15 balls against Punjab Kings. His ability to finish games with the bat, as well as his performances in the middle order, has made him a regular fixture for Rajasthan Royals. By 2025, he had accumulated over 600 runs in 42 IPL matches, with a strike rate above 150 and several match-winning contributions.

IPL batting & fielding (season-wise)

Season Matches Inn NO Runs HS 50s SR 4s 6s Catches
2023 (RR) 13 11 4 152 34 vs CSK 0 172.73 11 9 1
2024 (RR) 15 11 3 195 56 vs SRH 2 138.30 18 7 11
2025 (RR) 14 13 4 333 70 vs SRH 2 156.34 22 22 7
Overall 42 35 11 680 70 4 153.85 51 38 19

Records and Achievements

  • Player of the Match, 4th Test vs England, Ranchi (Feb 2024): 90 (149) and 39* (77) in a match-winning performance.
  • India U-19 vice-captain (2020 U-19 World Cup): India finished as runners-up.
  • First-class best 249: A highlight of his consistency in red-ball cricket.
  • Four IPL fifties by 2025, with a career strike rate above 150.
  • Appointed Central Zone captain for the 2025–26 Duleep Trophy.