‘Would like to dedicate my century to the army’:Dhruv Jurel dedicates his maiden Test hundred to Indian Armed Forces; celebrates with rifle gesture

Indian wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel made his maiden Test hundred extra special by dedicating it to the Indian Army during the first Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Friday. Jurel, who scored a brilliant 125, celebrated his milestone with a salute and a gunfire gesture, leaving fans touched by his tribute. Earlier, after reaching his half-century, Jurel had already performed his trademark salute as a gesture to his father, a Kargil war veteran. But when he reached his century, he had something bigger in mind. The young wicket-keeper’s maiden hundred has already made him a fan favourite. With discipline, patience, and the Army spirit guiding his career, Jurel looks set for a bright future in Indian cricket. Jurel breaks his silence on the salute celebration “The salute (celebration) after reaching my fifty was for my father, but for the hundred, it was something that I had in my mind for a very long time. Because I have been so close to the Indian Army, I’ve seen my father since my childhood… what we do on the ground and what they do on the battlefield is very difficult and you cannot compare that,” Jurel explained. Also read: Three Indian batters hit centuries, three unique celebrations- WATCH: KL Rahul’s ‘finger in mouth’ gesture for daughter, Ravindra Jadeja’s typical sword act Tribute to the Indian Army and his father Jurel made it clear that his respect for the Army runs deep and that his achievements will always carry that connection. “I will always have my respect and whatever I will do in the future will be for them. I would like to dedicate this to them (the Indian Army) for what they do. I have seen them closely, how it is like, and I remain very fascinated in those things. I also used to keep asking my father about the same,” he said. His father’s journey as a Kargil veteran has been a huge inspiration, and Jurel’s heartfelt celebration reflected the values he grew up with. Also read: IND-WI Test- Jadeja now has more sixes than Dhoni: Rahul surpasses Rohit with 10th century as opener, Jurel 12th Indian wicketkeeper with Test ton; top records Jurel slams 125 runs, records his maiden Test century Jurel’s 125 was not only a personal milestone but also a reminder of the depth in India’s batting line-up. Interestingly, he got his chance in the playing XI because Rishabh Pant injured his toe and is currently recovering at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (NCA) in Bengaluru. Jurel admitted he doesn’t mind waiting for opportunities and considers being part of the Test squad a privilege. He said, “I do a lot of visualisation, whether I am playing or not, so when I play a match, it doesn’t feel like anything new. I know I’ve gone through this and what the feeling is like. I visualise everything, from walking in (to the middle) to taking a stance, everything. Nothing feels different. I am always prepared, whether I am playing or not. I try to keep myself ready.”