IPL 2026 | I bring front-line mindset to the crease: Dhruv Jurel

JAIPUR: It was a truly instinctive and athletic piece of wicketkeeping as Dhruv Jurel, playing his part to perfection for Rajasthan Royals, stumped Cameron Green of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden last Sunday. Even Sachin Tendulkar singled out his presence of mind. “Only one stump in sight, on the move and done in the blink of an eye! Simply magnificent Dhruv Jurel,” he posted on X.

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Jurel was partially unsighted as Green moved forward and across to counter a Ravi Bishnoi googly that spun viciously down the leg side. The 25-year-old gloveman reacted in a flash. Diving full-length to his left to collect the ball, tumbling and off-balance, he managed a blind, behind-the-back flick that arrowed straight into the stumps. For Jurel, being behind the stumps offers the best possible view of the game. “It helps me understand the game better. The best seat in the house,” he told TOI.

Despite his evident quality, he is yet to become India’s first-choice keeper-batter in any format. But that does not dishearten him. “Competition is good and it actually keeps me sharp. The mindset is rooted in Army discipline, where you don’t just prepare for the battle, you train every single day to be battle ready,” he said. For Jurel, temperament and mental toughness are everything, qualities he readily admits he inherited from his father. “Growing up in an Army environment and hearing my father’s stories about being on the front has taught me a lot about bravery and discipline. I bring the same frontline mindset to the crease,” the Royals’ keeper said.

Love for Test cricket
“Red-ball cricket is like a game of chess. I love the format. Test cricket is the real test of your character. I have learned that patience is more important than speed, and you need to be in-the-game all through the five days. It’s tough to maintain that focus.

“Winning a Test match for India provides a sense of fulfilling a duty, that’s why I felt like dedicating my maiden Test century to the Indian Army, in honour of the real heroes,” said Jurel.