"I feel happy..." - Dhruv Jurel's father on youngster's comparisons with MS Dhoni

There have been very few who have had as much impact as Dhruv Jurel in their first 2 Test matches for the Indian national team. His impact has been so much that he is already drawing comparisons with the legendary MS Dhoni. However, Jurel’s father who served for the Indian army during the Kargil War, feels it’s a violation to compare his son with the 2-time World Cup winner.

Obviously when Dhruv Jurel was playing out that 90-run knock in the 2nd innings of the 4th Test in Ranchi, there was no one more proud than his father. Jurel’s knock had come at a time when the Indian batting order suffered a dramatic collapse and were edging towards an embarrassing downfall.

However, Dhruv Jurel showed that the warrior’s blood runs deep within his veins. He showed immense grit, unmatched determination, and some commendable patience to stick onto that tough pitch to bat. The 23-year-old also made sure to contribute in the 4th innings where he partnered with Shubman Gill to help India chase down 192 for a 17th straight red-ball series win.

How did MS Dhoni’s comparisons with Jurel begin?

Jurel was also adjudged Man of the Match for his knocks and quickly drew appreciation from Sunil Gavaskar, as the next MS Dhoni in making. Gavaskar also praised the youngster for his nifty glovework, his street-smart batting, and his effective game awareness.

“Of course he has batted well, but his keeping, his work behind the stumps has been equally brilliant. Just by looking at his game awareness, 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 that he has, MSD also when he started, it was that. And Jurel has that game awareness. Street-smart cricketer,” Gavaskar had told Jio Cinema. 

Sunil Gavaskar’s remarks divided the Indian cricketing fraternity as many players jumped in and asked the 74-year-old to stop making such comparisons. Sourav Ganguly was the most vocal one who claimed, “It took MS Dhoni 20 years to be MS Dhoni. So just let him play,”Ganguly told RevsSortz. 

Dhruv Jurel’s father says he wants his son to follow MS Dhoni’s footsteps but the comparison is not right

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 claimed that if his son is able to become like Dhoni then there’ll be nothing like it and that he would be very happy.

“I would not like to compare. Because MS Dhoni is such a big Superstar. He won ICC Trophies and won Two World Cups for India. But I feel happy when Cricket Legends are saying Dhruv can become like Dhoni in the future for India,” Dhruv Jurel’s father told News18. 

Dhruv Jurel's Father said – "I would not like to compare. Because MS Dhoni is such a big Superstar. He won ICC Trophies and won Two World Cups for India. But I feel happy when Cricket Legends are saying Dhruv can become like Dhoni in the future for India". (CricketNext) pic.twitter.com/0FmzGrIygF

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 2, 2024

Meanwhile, the 5th and series concluding Test match between India and England starts from March 7 onwards. The scenic venue of HPCA stadium in Dharamshala will play host to the Test match.