I am looking forward to playing against Joe Root: Dhruv Jurel

In an exclusive interview on JioCinema, recorded before the 1st Test in Hyderabad, Dhruv Jurel, the wicket-keeper batter, who has earned his maiden India call-up, spoke candidly about his India call-up, the importance of domestic cricket, his meeting with MS Dhoni and the England series.

On getting the news of the India call-up

We were having practice that day and it ended late in the evening. So, I was just going to sleep, and I casually opened BCCI TV and saw my name in the announced squad. I was literally in shock. Every kid playing cricket dreams of playing for the Indian national team. While seeing my name, I thought that I am living a dream.

On his journey to the national team

Every cricketer has this dream and for a middle-class family, when you are starting, it seems unattainable because so many people are competing and financially, it is expensive. How will we manage everything is something on the mind? All of that was flashing back, from where I started and all the struggles I overcame. Everything was happening like a flashback. My parents, sister, and I were all talking about it. It was a great and emotional moment.

 On the importance of domestic cricket

Domestic cricket is a massive platform where you can showcase your talent by leading your team to wins. As a batsman, we face the best bowlers from every state. The best players come to play. Conditions are also different in every state we play, Ahmedabad is different, Delhi is different. We play the Ranji Trophy, home and away in different stadiums. The soil is different, the weather is different, and the conditions are different. Testing our temperament and perseverance in those conditions, I think Test cricket is the purest form of cricket.

On wicketkeeping

I enjoy wicket-keeping. I enjoy the fact that the ball is coming to me, I am very involved in the game. The ball comes the most to a keeper in a match. Even more than batting, I love wicket-keeping. In any format you play, the ball has to come to me and I enjoy it. It’s not a burden for me, I enjoy every moment the ball comes to me. Wicket-keeping has helped me in batting as well. If we are bowling first, I find out how the wicket is behaving, what I can do, what shots are in play today.

On meeting his idol MS Dhoni

I have always been the biggest fan of MS Dhoni. Last year, I got a chance to speak to him and I asked him, ‘What is your mindset when you are going inside?’ He simply said, ‘Just watch the ball and play. Don’t think about anything. Whatever pressure is coming, it’s coming from outside. You have to visualize how you are going to play a bowler. Just let it be, get your preparation done, and just watch the ball. You have already done so much, that’s why you are here, just don’t doubt yourself, go out and play, and express yourself. Don’t worry about the result, focus on the process.

On entering the Indian dressing room

I played with them when I was in South Africa for the India A tour and we had an intra-squad match, and I got a chance to play. I was just staring at them, whoever is next to me. If I look to my right, Rohit bhai was standing, if I look left, it was Virat Kohli. Everyone was there. A moment like that is different. You see how much they have achieved in their life and how they have done it. I always stay curious, and I try to learn as much as I can from them because it will eventually help me only.

On his expectations from the England series

I am looking forward to playing against Joe Root because he was with us last year in Rajasthan Royals. If I get a chance to debut, the biggest thing is I am playing against England. Since childhood, you dream of playing international cricket, especially against a big side. Keeping wickets for, Axar, Kuldeep, Ashwin, Jadeja, Bumrah, Siraj, and Avesh Khan, as I said, I really enjoy wicketkeeping. Regardless of the condition, I will prepare for it. It’s not like it can’t be done. If I work hard, it will happen. 100% it will happen.

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