Dhruv Jurel’s maturity shone through during India’s ongoing Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy Test series in England as he seamlessly took over wicketkeeping duties from the injured Rishabh Pant.
Pant, Indian cricket team vice-captain, injured his finger on the opening day of the third Test at Lord’s and later suffered a fracture to his right foot in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
While Pant continued to bat in both Test matches, he was ruled out of keeping duties and eventually the series.
Jurel, who plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, stepped in as the substitute wicketkeeper in the third and fourth Tests.
At Lord’s, Jurel displayed sharp reflexes to pouch three catches behind the wicket, helping India dismiss Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes.
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His impact grew in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where he not only grabbed a couple of catches but also created history by becoming the first substitute wicketkeeper in Test cricket to effect two stumpings in an innings, dismissing Harry Brook and Joe Root.
Former India and Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane lauded Jurel’s temperament in the ongoing England vs India Test series.
“It’s not easy for a wicketkeeper to come in as a substitute, almost 140 overs,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel. “He did that in the last game as well, knowing in England especially, where wicketkeeping is challenging. The ball tends to move behind the wicket.
“When you are sitting outside, watching the game, and suddenly you have to come inside and do the wicketkeeping - which in England is the toughest job - I thought he did that really well.
“He (Jurel) was calm, composed, and his suggestions to KL Rahul and the captain (Shubman Gill) were amazing. So credit goes to him. I appreciate his performance and hard work.”
It’s tough to join as a wicket-keeper mid-game, but Dhruv Jurel stepped in and did a really solid job. Full credit to him. pic.twitter.com/yH7XlI5757
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) July 29, 2025
Dhruv Jurel impressed on his Test debut for India during the home series against England last year, scoring 190 runs in four innings at an average of 63.33.
His standout performance came in Ranchi, where he scored a resilient 90 and stitched a match-turning 76-run stand with Kuldeep Yadav. He followed that up with an unbeaten 39 to steer India home from a tricky 120/5, earning the Player of the Match award.
Jurel has also been consistent for India A, scoring 94 and 53 not out in the first unofficial Test against England Lions ahead of the India vs England Test series. He also scored another half-century in the second unofficial Test against the England Lions.
The 24-year-old also had a decent IPL season, scoring 333 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 156.33 and was the third highest scorer for the Royals.
