Early Life & Background
Dhruv Chand Jurel was born on January 21, 2001 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, into a Jat family. His father, Nem Singh Jurel, served in the Indian Army and is a Kargil war veteran. Tragedy struck early when at age 5 his left leg was crushed under a bus tyre, requiring plastic surgery. Yet, resilience marked his journey from the start.
He first picked up cricket at a school summer camp and progressed through the UP system—Under‑14, 16 & 19. Driven by ambition and sacrifice, his father took a loan for a Kashmir willow bat; his mother pawned her gold necklace so Dhruv could afford a kit bag. At 14, he left home for Noida’s academy, determined to chase his dreams.
Personal Traits & Lifestyle
Dhruv is measured yet fearless. He balances aggression with composure, earning praise for his glovework and situational awareness. From early on, he idolized MS Dhoni and views himself as devoted to Lord Hanuman, drawing spiritual strength.
He follows a disciplined lifestyle—practicing long hours, following fitness routines, and blending cricket training with mental focus. Off the field, he enjoys watching movies, shopping, and spending relaxed time with family.
He lives modestly, grounded by his Army‑roots upbringing and spiritual beliefs.
Personal Life
Dhruv is unmarried and devotes himself fully to cricket. He credits his parents for his rise—especially his father’s military discipline and mother’s sacrifice . Nem Singh remains his mentor and coach, guiding discipline and hard work.
His mother, Rajni Jurel, is celebrated for pawn‑selling her jewelry to support his kit purchase. He also has an elder sister who remains a discreet yet supportive presence.
He enjoys family time during off-seasons or away from tournaments. His private life reflects the same humility he shows publicly.
Youth & Domestic Career
Under‑19 Success
Jurel captained UP age‑group teams before being named vice‑captain of India at the 2020 U‑19 World Cup, where India reached the final. Earlier, he also led India to victory in the 2019 U‑19 Asia Cup. His consistency with both bat and gloves caught attention early.
Entry into Professional Domestic Cricket
He debuted in T20 on 10 January 2021 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During the 2021‑22 Ranji Trophy, he made his first‑class debut on 17 February 2022, scoring 64 & 4 against Vidarbha. In July 2023, he debuted in List A for India A, playing in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
International Career
Test Debut & Heroics
In January 2024, Dhruv earned his maiden Test call‑up for the England series. He debuted for India on 15 February 2024 in Rajkot, scoring 46 off 104 balls. He cemented his place in the Ranchi Test, with a gritty 90 in the first innings and a composed 39* in the second. That performance secured victory and the Player of the Match award .
T20I Debut
He debuted in T20Is on 6 July 2024 versus Zimbabwe . By January 2025, he had played 4 T20Is, scoring 12 runs at an average of 4.00, with 4 catches and 1 stumping.
IPL Career
Dhruv was acquired by Rajasthan Royals at the 2022 auction. He made his IPL debut in 2023, playing as an impact sub. He hit 32 off 15 balls* vs Punjab Kings, securing his place.
2023: Debut season; 13 matches, played finisher role; scored 280+ runs and showcased powerful strokeplay .
2024: Scored 195 runs in 11 matches, including a match‑winning 56* against Hyderabad; led RR in catches (13) .
2025: Though RR struggled overall, Jurel contributed 333 runs across 14 games, including a top score of 70; RR retained him as a core player.
Fitness, Injuries & Comebacks
Dhruv faced a major physical setback at age 5 with his leg injury and surgery . Since then, he’s focused on full recovery and athleticism, with no noted injuries at senior level.
He works closely with RR’s high‑performance and physiotherapy team, under coaches like Rahul Dravid, Shane Bond, and Dishant Yagnik, ensuring fitness remains at peak.