Everyone loves Dhruv Jurel: Ben Stokes names an England player who has a ‘man crush’ on Indian wicketkeeper

In just his second Test match, Dhruv Jurel took home the player of the match award after dragging India home to a series victory with a 72-run stand with Shubman Gill in the second innings of the Ranchi Test.

Dhruv Jurel added his second innings knock of 39* to his first innings total of 90. It came at an invaluable time: India were reduced to 120-5 while chasing a target of 192.

His batting earned him praise from India skipper Rohit Sharma. “It has been a very hard-fought series. To come on the right side after four Tests feels really good,” said Rohit. “Jurel showed solid composure, calmness and has the shots as well. In the second innings he showed a lot of composure and maturity.”

Jurel is the son of a Kargil War veteran.

India’s Dhruv Jurel during a practice session ahead of the third cricket test match against England in Rajkot, India, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Rich praise for Dhruv Jurel from both captains

But not just in India, Jurel’s skills seemed to have earned him admirers from the other side as well as England captain Ben Stokes revealed after the match ended.

“Both innings he’s played very well. His keeping was something to watch — I think Ben Foakes has a little man crush on him there,” said Stokes in the post-match press conference.

India have not lost a Test series at home since 2012. That record will not be blemished here after the hosts grabbed an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series thanks to their five-wicket victory in Ranchi.

“The series has shown a lot of talent, for us and India. I love Test cricket and we’ve seen some young, inexperienced players perform and the future looks bright in this format,” Stokes added at the ceremony.

“I think it was a great Test match. The scoreline says India won by five wickets but I don’t think that gives enough credit to sum up the game as a whole,” Stokes went on to add at the post-game presentation ceremony.

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