Young wicketkeeper batter Dhurv Jurel has captured the imagination of the country with his batting and wicketkeeping that has former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble comparing the 23-year-old old to one of India’s great – MS Dhoni.
For Jurel’s father, Kargil war veteran Nem Chand, though it might be way too early for such comparisons, but he is happy with the fact that his son is being talked about in the same breath as the former India captain.
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“I am very happy with the fact that someone like Sunil Gavaskar, who played for India for over 20 years and was a big star, and still is, then Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag, are talking about Dhruv. But I am not thinking about any comparisons with Dhoni. Dhoni is a huge star, who won two World Cups for India – and I cannot compare my son to him; but I am very happy with the fact that the cricketers are making that comparison,” Nem Chand said in The Breakfast Club show on CNN-News18.
Jurel hit the winning runs for India in the Ranchi Test against England that helped India seal its 17th consecutive series win at home. The Agra-born was drafted into the team for the last three Tests of the series at the expense of KS Bharat, and after a solid 46 in his debut innings at Rajkot, Jurel hit a gritty 90 in the first innings of the Ranchi Test and then proceeded to add vital 39 not out with Shubman Gill to steer India to victory from a tricky position.
What was notable though in Jurel’s 90-run knock was his celebration after reaching the 50-run mark. After raising his bat to acknowledge the crowd he proceeded with a salute gesture. On being asked about the unique celebration, Nem Chand revealed that Dhruv wanted to give tribute to not only him, but also to the Indian army as well.
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“I belong from army, and he knows about my discipline, he has seen me in my uniform, my salute. He used to observe all that that and he has those childhood memories so he thought he would celebrate his fifty with the salute and it was not only for me, but it was for all of India and the Indian army,” said Nem Chand, who wanted his son to clear the NDA examination and join the army.
While Sarfaraz Khan, the other debutant in the series for India in the Rajkot Test, fulfilled his father’s dream of playing for India; Jurel on the other hand, in many ways went against his father’s wish of joining the armed forces and went on to play cricket for India.
“We wanted him to join the army, study well and clear the NDA [National Defence Academy] exam, but his intentions were different. He told me ‘Papa Hum Cricket Khelenge’,” remembered Nem Chand, adding, “He had gone to a summer camp, it was primarily for swimming, but there were a lot of kids playing cricket, so he asked me whether he can play cricket, and at that point in time I also took it lightly and told him to go ahead and play for a month or so, and gradually his interest peaked in game. He was around 10-11 years old is when he started playing cricket.”
Nem Chand was not initially in favour of Dhurv pursing cricket as a profession, but as is the case with many Indian households, it was Dhurv’s mother’s affection and support that eventually led Nem Chand to budge.
“I told him off a lot initially as he was not getting good marks. I did scold him also, but he had his mother’s affection and support and she advocated for Dhruv saying let him play, he will also study as well,” said Nem Chand.
The fifth Test is due to start on 7th March allowing the players at least a couple of days off to be with their families and the Jurel household is all set to welcome their ward in grand style.
“We are ready for the welcome, the selectors, the relatives, whole family, entire Agra is ready, but I am thinking of welcoming him how I as a father had welcomed him in the past,” added Nem Chand.
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