With a maiden Test century, Dhruv Jurel makes strong claim to be India’s second wicketkeeper-batter after Rishabh Pant in Tests.
Dhruv Jurel, at the age of just 24, has emerged as one of India’s brightest young prospects in red-ball cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter from Uttar Pradesh, who first caught the national selectors’ eyes with his performances in the domestic circuit and India A matches, has now firmly stepped into the Test arena with a statement innings that might well define the next phase of his career.
His authoritative 125 against West Indies in the Ahmedabad Test has not only highlighted his growing maturity with the bat but also initiated an important conversation: has he cemented his place as India’s second-choice wicketkeeper-batter behind Rishabh Pant?
Defining knock in Ahmedabad
Batting on a surface that initially offered help to the bowlers before flattening out, Jurel walked into a situation where India’s top order had not capitalised to translate promising starts into substantial contributions.
With the team tottering at a delicate stage, there was an expectation on the youngster to play responsibly and steady the innings. Jurel did much more than just hold up one end. His innings of 125 was a masterclass in composure, shot selection, and temperament.
Right from the outset, he exuded calmness, leaving balls outside off-stump with discipline and playing straight when required. As he settled in, Jurel unleashed a range of strokes, his cut shots against the pacers and his footwork against the spinners stood out.
What impressed most was the balance he struck between attack and defence, choosing the right moments to accelerate without throwing his wicket away. His century was greeted with rapturous applause from teammates and spectators alike, and by the time he departed, India had seized control of the Test.
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Safe hands behind the stumps
Jurel’s wicketkeeping in the Ahmedabad Test was equally noteworthy. He completed four sharp catches across the two innings, each of them showing his athleticism. The standout moment came when he dived full stretch to his right to dismiss an in-form West Indies batter off Mohammed Siraj’s bowling.
Another moment that highlighted his growing assurance behind the stumps was his low, reflexive grab off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling to send back a set batter. On surfaces like Ahmedabad where spinners play a huge role, a sharp keeper can be the difference between setting up a victory or allowing momentum to slip away. Jurel’s glove work ensured that India maintained pressure throughout the match, complementing the bowlers perfectly.
Jurel’s journey so far
For Jurel, this milestone innings is the culmination of a story that began years earlier in the heartland of Indian cricket. Born in Agra, he worked his way through the junior levels with perseverance before making a mark in domestic cricket.
His temperament under pressure was first noticed during the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, where his calm presence with the bat stood out. From there, he graduated steadily into first-class cricket, where he began compiling performances that would pique the selectors’ interest.
His domestic record speaks volumes with 1,712 runs in 27 first-class matches at an average of 48.91, including two centuries and 13 fifties. His performances in the Ranji Trophy and India A outings, especially a polished 94 against the England Lions.
When he debuted for India in February 2024 against England, he made an instant impression with a well-crafted 46. The defining moment of his early career came in Ranchi during the England Test series of 2024, when India were staring at a collapse at 177/7. Jurel’s vital 90 turned the tide and laid the foundation for a famous India win. That knock convinced many that he was built for the long format.
His journey since has been studded with impactful contributions, including a fighting 39 in The Oval Test against England in 2025 and crucial runs in India’s historic victory in Perth against Australia in the same year. Each performance has reinforced the impression that Jurel thrives under pressure rather than succumbing to it.
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Has he secured his spot?
The Ahmedabad century could well be the moment that shifts perceptions. Prior to this, Rishabh Pant was India’s unquestioned wicketkeeper-batter in Tests, and his match-winning capabilities remain unmatched. But selectors have been keen to identify a dependable second option given Pant’s injury woes and extraordinary workload across formats.
Dhruv Jurel seems to have climbed ahead of the competition. Players like Narayan Jagadeesan and Ishan Kishan are talented, but Jurel’s combination of temperament, batting solidity, and agile wicketkeeping might give him the edge. His track record shows that he can bat responsibly in the lower order, absorb pressure, and even anchor the innings if early wickets fall.
Still only 24, Jurel has time to refine his craft further. His technique against swing overseas, his ability to convert starts into big hundreds, and the challenge of maintaining fitness through the demands of wicketkeeping will all be tested in the years ahead. Yet the trajectory so far suggests he is ready to embrace the challenges awaiting him.
A New Star is Born.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 3, 2025
Well played, Dhruv Jurel. Can play in India’s Test side purely as a batter too.
pic.twitter.com/9Bq5fmPvtS
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