There have been very few who have made as much of an impact as Dhruv Jurel in his first two Test matches for the Indian national team. His impact has been such that he is already being compared to the legendary MS Dhoni. However, Jurel’s father, who served in the Indian army during the Kargil war, considers it a violation to compare his son to the two-time World Cup winner.
Obviously, when Dhruv Jurel was playing that 90-run knock in the second innings of the fourth Test in Ranchi, there was no one prouder than his father. Jurel’s knock came at a time when the Indian batting order was suffering a dramatic collapse and was approaching an embarrassing decline.
However, Dhruv Jurel showed that the blood of the warrior runs deep in his veins. He showed immense courage, unmatched determination and commendable patience to stay on that difficult-to-hit pitch. The 23-year-old also made sure to contribute in the fourth innings, where he partnered Shubman Gill to help India chase down 192 and achieve their 17th consecutive victory in the red-ball series.
How did MS Dhoni’s comparisons with Jurel start?
Jurel was also named Man of the Match for his knocks and quickly earned recognition from Sunil Gavaskar as the next MS Dhoni to achieve. Gavaskar also praised the youngster for his clever glove work, street-smart batting and effective knowledge of the game.
“Of course he has batted well, but his keeping and his work behind the stumps has been equally brilliant. Just by looking at his knowledge of the game, I want to say that he is another MS Dhoni in the making. I know there can never be another MSD but you know the presence of mind he has, MSD also when it started, that’s what it was. And Jurel has that awareness of the game. Street cricketer,” Gavaskar had told Jio Cinema.
Sunil Gavaskar’s comments divided the Indian cricket fraternity as many players weighed in and asked the 74-year-old to stop making such comparisons. Sourav Ganguly was the most vocal: “It took MS Dhoni 20 years to become MS Dhoni. So let him play,” Ganguly told RevsSortz.
Dhruv Jurel’s father says he wants his son to follow in MS Dhoni’s footsteps, but the comparison is not correct.
While speaking to News18 recently, Dhruv Jurel’s father stated that comparing his son with MS Dhoni is something he would refrain from. But he stated that if his son is able to become like Dhoni, then there will be nothing like it and he would be very happy.
“I wouldn’t like to compare. Because MS Dhoni is a big superstar. She won ICC Trophies and won two World Cups for India. But I feel happy when Cricket Legends says that Dhruv can become like Dhoni in the future for India,” Dhruv’s father Jurel told News18.
Dhruv’s father Jurel said: “I wouldn’t like to compare. Because MS Dhoni is a big superstar. He won ICC trophies and two World Cups for India. But I feel happy when cricket legends say that Dhruv can become like Dhoni in the future for India. (CricketNext) pic.twitter.com/0FmzGrIygF
– CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 2, 2024
Meanwhile, the fifth and final Test match of the series between India and England begins from March 7. The picturesque venue of the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala will host the Test match.