NEW DELHI: Dhruv Jurel‘s remarkable work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence caught the attention of Rajasthan Royals, as noted by the IPL team’s Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara. The talented young batter-keeper from Uttar Pradesh has now earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against England.
Jurel showcased his skills during the last IPL season, making a significant impact with his performances.His journey to the top has been marked by outstanding red-ball displays for his state in domestic cricket, and he has consistently represented India ‘A’.
The recognition of Jurel’s dedication and talent is a testament to his hard work and commitment to the sport. As he prepares for the challenges at the international level, his inclusion in the Indian Test squad reflects the promising trajectory of his cricketing career.

“I’m feeling very proud and happy because one of our key motivators and performance indicators in the IPL is to produce players for India and we have produced quite a lot over the years,” Sangakkara replied to a PTI query on Saturday.
“Jurel is the latest addition. He is a brilliant young man, a very good player and has worked really hard to get where he has,” said the former Sri Lanka captain, who is here to oversee Paarl Royals.
But did he expect Jurel to get a red ball call-up so soon?
“I think it is up to the selectors on how they want to construct their red and white ball teams. Our job is to produce the best players, so they get their opportunities in any format,” Sangakkara said.
Asked what he thought has helped Jurel make rapid strides, he replied: “His work ethics and demeanour stand out. He came in at a very difficult position for RR (last season) and scored so many runs. “
“He is a match-winner in short format, but this is a real test of his technique, character and his application to be in the Test side,” said the former keeper.
Sangakkara believes that the grammar of cricket, especially in terms of talent evaluation, is undergoing a transformation due to the influence of T20 cricket. The fast-paced and dynamic nature of T20 matches has brought about changes in how players are assessed, focusing on skills that are particularly crucial in the shorter format.
Despite this evolution, Sangakkara emphasises that Test cricket will continue to maintain its timeless and pristine charm. The traditional format, known for its strategic depth, endurance, and emphasis on different skills, holds a unique place in the cricketing world.
“Red-ball cricket will always be relevant. At the end of the day, we are producing good cricketers and good cricketers can adapt to any format.”
Just like the adage ‘there are thousands of ways to skin a cat’, Sangakkara wants people to find their own method.
“The format itself need not be played in one specific way. We have seen how much it has changed and it is exciting to see the changes in Test cricket,” he said.
“The players that are coming through now, they are flexible and adaptable and exciting to watch. They add so much in terms of excitement and short repertoire deliveries,” he said.
With a single franchise owning multiple teams (IPL, SA20, CPL, ILT20), Sangakkara believes the day isn’t far when football club like contracts round the year will be offered to the players.
“That could be a great possibility and all the stakeholders, ICC and the home boards will have to make some tough decisions on how we will keep cricket relevant.
“Because if the sport is not relevant and you are not getting the spectators to the stadium, that’s when the sport is in trouble,” Sangakkara said, sounding a mild warning for ICC.
But, he maintained that cricket as a game is in the pink of health.
“The game is very healthy and is on the cusp of going in a new direction. Now, it is about making sure it addresses the needs of all its stakeholders — the public and the players. The fans dictate the direction in which the sport heads,” he signed off.
(With PTI inputs)