Dhruv Jurel (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)
In India, cricket is more than a game; it is a way of life, a passion that borders on worship. But sometimes life takes a cruel turn, as it sometimes puts a kid to choose between a dream and destiny.
Cricket or the Army? Dhruv Jurel faced the ultimate choice, and he played it like a true maverick. The choices were different, and the Indian star needed to take that one big step that could decide his destiny for a better future.
Taking the right call at the right time, he chose cricket, and the rest is history now. Defying his father’s wishes to follow in the army’s footsteps, he pursued his first, and today his father couldn’t be prouder.
Dhruv Jurel’s father dreams of army glory through his son
Dreams are not always just a child’s; they’re often a parent’s way of chasing their own unfinished ambitions. Adding to this, sometimes the generational pride of the families becomes a pressure for the young kid. In Dhruv Jurel’s story, his father’s wish was putting pressure on the youngster’s dream, but he made a bold choice.
Dhruv Jurel’s father, Nem Singh Jurel, was a brave soldier of the historic Kargil war and served the nation by defending the borders. In army families, sons often follow in their fathers’ footsteps, and Nem Singh dreamed of Dhruv continuing the legacy of service to the country.
As a kid, Dhruv wanted to serve the country too, not in an army uniform. Along with army men, the cricketers also serve the nation with a brave heart. With some unforgettable victories, they held nations' heads high, and Jurel wanted to follow this route to serve the nation. Choosing this path, however, put him at odds with his father’s dream of a military legacy.
Jurel bets it all on cricket, turns destiny around
As his father dreamt of making him an army man, he used to send little Dhruv to swimming sessions to build strength. But everything changed the day he saw a boy smashing fearless shots on a cricket field. In that instant, something clicked, and Dhruv found the missing piece of his life puzzle.
Since then, Dhruv Jurel used to bunk swimming sessions and used to go for cricket practice. He kept it secret for years and played local tournaments, but on one odd day, the rhythm ended. When his father found out about this, he was offended and scolded the youngster.
Cricket was never just a hobby for Dhruv Jurel; it was in his heart. Summoning all his courage, he finally confessed his dream to his father. Initially, his father was not convinced, but Jurel’s endless love and passion for the game later on convinced his father to chase cricket.
From hidden dreams to center stage, Jurel makes his parents proud
Watching his son’s true passion for the sport, Jurel’s father changed his mind as Dhruv started training at the Springdale Cricket Academy in Agra. Playing age-group cricket for Uttar Pradesh, he was named India’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup vice-captain.
His cricketing journey took a massive turn when the Rajasthan Royals bought him in the 2022 season. Despite all his success, his ultimate dream of representing the nation was still on hold. But with sheer hard work and determination, he made his Test debut in 2024. After his maiden Test fifty, Jurel celebrated with a salute, a gesture to honor his father.
Since then, India has had a superstar in the lineup. In the ongoing unofficial Test series against South Africa A, Jurel is turning heads. In the second match, he smashed tons in both innings. The cricket dream he once pursued in secret has now become a proud reality for his father, the greatest gift any parent could hope for.
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