Though Dhruv Jurel has officially played just one Test in England, he was actively involved in three matches during the series. Named as the backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant, Jurel’s contributions were significant in India’s hard-fought 2-2 draw for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which spanned 25 intense days of cricket on English soil.
Dhruv Jurel stepped into the spotlight during the Lord’s Test when Pant injured his left index finger on Day 1. Unable to continue wicketkeeping, Pant handed the gloves to Jurel for the remainder of the third Test. A similar scenario unfolded in Manchester when Pant fractured his toe on the first day of the fourth Test, and once again, Jurel took over behind the stumps.
With Pant sidelined for the fifth Test, Dhruv Jurel was finally included in the playing XI officially—seven months after his last appearance. Despite modest scores of 19 and 34, his wicketkeeping over the final two days on a seam-friendly pitch earned him widespread appreciation.
In doing so, Dhruv Jurel entered a special club—he has been part of a winning team in every Test he’s played so far. he’s the first Indian to achieve this feat in at least five Tests. The overall record belongs to West Indies’ Eldine Baptiste, who won all 10 Tests he played between 1983 and 1990, claiming 16 wickets and scoring 233 runs during that time.
Dhruv Jurel’s Test Career Highlights:
Dhruv Jurel first joined the Indian squad during England’s 2024 Test tour of India. He debuted in the third Test in Rajkot, replacing KS Bharat due to a string of poor performances. With Pant still recovering from a car accident, Jurel impressed with a solid 46 off 104 balls. India went on to win that match.
His standout moment came in the next Test in Ranchi, where he played a pivotal knock of 90 runs off 149 deliveries in the first innings. He followed that with an unbeaten 39 in the second, stitching a 72-run partnership with Shubman Gill to guide India to a crucial win.
Dhruv Jurel’s subsequent appearances included Tests against England (Dharamsala, 2024) and Australia (Perth, 2024)—both of which India won. In five Tests so far, Jurel has amassed 255 runs and built a promising start to his international career.