Dhruv Jurel places himself on the same pedestal as MS Dhoni

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dhruv Jurel has compared his current situation in the Indian team to the legend MS Dhoni. Jurel has been part of India's Test unit on several occasions and has played a crucial role in England in Pant's absence.

India has picked Dhruv Jurel as a backup keeper-batter for the ongoing series against England, as they take on the Englishmen. Like any other batter, Dhruv Jurel would have anticipated a great feeling to play for India on the English tracks.

However, India is yet to hand him a chance in the playing 11, as the batters have done a commendable job and have left no gaps to be filled or players to be replaced. India's only concern has been the no. 3 batting spot, and Jurel, despite being a fine batter, has no prior experience as a top-order batsman.

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Jurel draws a comparison with MS Dhoni's keeping

In a recent interview from India's training session, Dhruv Jurel has mocked the Indian management lightly, saying he can now relate to MS Dhoni with his current role in the team.

Back in 2016, a movie was released on the life story of the great Indian cricketer, MS Dhoni. In his childhood days, when he began to play cricket, the movie shows a scene between a young Dhoni and his school team coach. The scene reads as follows:

Coach - What do you like?

Dhoni - Sir, batting.

Coach - But you've do the keeping.

Dhruv Jurel is relating his last match situation with a MS Dhoni movie dialogue - What do you like? Sir, batting. But you've do the keeping. 😂❤️

Biggest thalason in the current Indian team. pic.twitter.com/LZP74MRdIp

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) July 31, 2025

Dhruv Jurel said he is in a similar situation where he gets no chance to bat but only has to keep wickets for India as Rishabh Pant's replacement; however, now he should be hopeful, especially after Pant has been ruled out due to injury.

Jurel has kept wickets for India at Lord's and Manchester

Dhruv came on the field with the gloves on for India in three innings over the last two games. Rishabh Pant, who was the wicket-keeper in the playing 11, injured his finger while trying to stop a ball from Jasprit Bumrah.

This incident occurred during the first English innings at Lord's, as Jurel kept wickets for most of the Indian bowling innings and made a significant impact with his swiftness. He kept wickets across both the Indian innings, while Pant came out only to bat.

Following the third Test, Rishabh Pant once again injured his foot in the fourth Test. This was a nastier blow than before; hence, Pant had to be carried off the field and was later diagnosed with a fracture.

Jurel came in as his replacement in the only Indian bowling innings, and though he had to face some criticism at times for having dropped some close and tough chances, his overall keeping has been on par with Pant's performance.

Pant snubbed - Will Dhruv Jurel replace him in India's batting order?

Though Rishabh Pant has been ruled out due to a right foot fracture, India could have named Dhruv Jurel as his immediate replacement in the squad. But the Indian team decided to call in Narayan Jagadeesan from India as Pant's like-for-like replacement.

However, after some confusion and so many games as a wicket-keeper, Jurel finally makes his debut as the Indian wicket-keeper batter in the playing 11 on English soil at The Oval.

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