This story is from September 23, 2019

Dhruv Jurel: The Kargil war veteran's son who captained India to the U-19 Asia Cup title

Dhruv Chand Jurel is now a household name in Agra's Defence Colony, thanks to his captaincy skills which helped the India Under-19 team win the Asia Cup title. Before earning the tag of 'Captain Dhruv', people knew him because of his father Nem Singh Jurel, a Kargil war veteran. Nem Singh Jurel retired in 2008 as Havaldar from the Indian Army.
Dhruv Jurel: The Kargil war veteran's son who captained India to the U-19 Asia Cup title
Dhruv Chand Jurel.
Key Highlights
  • Dhruv was not born yet when his father Nem Singh Jurel was sent to Kargil in 1999
  • One man who Dhruv looks up to for inspiration is South African legend AB de Villiers
  • Dhruv used his bowlers wisely in the U-19 Asia Cup final as the Indian colts registered a narrow 5-run win over Bangladesh to clinch the title
NEW DELHI: Dhruv Chand Jurel is now a household name in Agra's Defence Colony thanks to his captaincy skills which helped the India Under-19 team win the Asia Cup title in a low-scoring finale earlier this month. If you ask for Dhruv there people will help you reach his doorstep. Dhruv is now called 'Captain Dhruv'.
"I feel very proud when someone says "look...that's Dhruv Jurel, the Asia Cup winning captain," the 18-year-old told TimesofIndia.
com.
Before earning the tag of 'Captain Dhruv', thanks to the U-19 World Cup win, people knew him because of his father Nem Singh Jurel, a Kargil war veteran.
Dhruv was not born yet when his father Nem was sent to Kargil in 1999. When Dhruv was born in 2001, his father didn't think his son would one day represent India on the cricket field, the way he did on the battle field.
"My father wanted me to go to the NDA (National Defence Academy). He wanted to see me as an Army officer. But I had already fallen in love with cricket and all I wanted to do was play this sport," Dhruv told Timesofindia.com.
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Dhruv with his father Nem Singh and mother.
Dhruv went on to recall the incident which made him fall in love with the gentlemen's game.
"When I was in the eighth standard (in the Army Public School in Agra), there was a 60-day summer camp. My father wanted me to join a sports club. Two of my friends and I decided to take up swimming at a nearby sports complex. We bought the forms and went to the complex. When I entered the complex, I saw some boys playing cricket. One of the batsmen was hitting shots beautifully. That's what fascinated me and I fell in love with cricket. My two friends checked the swimming column but I selected cricket. That's how it all started," Dhruv told TimesofIndia.com.

"Initially, my father tried to change my mind but later understood and helped me chase my dreams. Whatever I am today, it is because of my father," Dhruv said.
Nem Singh Jurel retired in 2008 as Havaldar from the Indian Army, a time when a young Dhruv needed his support both emotionally and financially.
"I was born in 2001 and he retired in 2008. He sometimes shares memories and his experience (of the Kargil war). That is so encouraging. Our field is different but the aggression is the same. He fought for India and I am playing for India," Dhruv said.
For a retired Nem, his son's dream was his number one priority.
"He (Dhruv) was a kid when I retired. He needed full support at that age. He was adamant about becoming a cricketer. I respected his love for the sport. I did everything I could as a father. Today, I feel really proud when I see him wearing the India jersey. I will be happier the day my son wears the senior team jersey," a proud father said.
"My father never stopped me. He always supported me. He never said no to me for anything. Cricket is quite an expensive game, but my father has never said no to anything. From bats to pads to helmets, he fulfilled all my needs. He always said 'Dhruv, chase your dreams, I am with you'," Dhruv said.
One man who Dhruv looks up to for inspiration is South African legend AB de Villiers.
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"I admire AB de Villiers. I saw him two years ago as a fan during an IPL match at the Green Park stadium. I wanted to watch the RCB match and of course ABD. ABD came to the boundary while fielding. Only the boundary fence was separating ABD and me. That was a huge fan moment for me. I am really looking forward to meeting him some day," Dhruv said.
"Watching his (ABD) videos has helped me a lot. The best thing I like about him is his approach," the 18-year-old further said.
Dhruv is a middle order batsman and wicket-keeper. But he didn't start off as a keeper.
"Initially, I started as a batman and an offspinner. My bowling was not that effective so I opted for wicketkeeping after some months. I started doing really well behind the wickets," Dhruv told TimesofIndia.com.
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Dhruv with his coach Parvinder Singh.
Dhruv used his bowlers wisely in the Under-19 Asia Cup final as the Indian colts registered a narrow 5 run win vs Bangladesh in the final to clinch the title. Despite putting up just 106 on the scoreboard, the Indian bowlers and fielders held their nerve to win their seventh u-19 Asia Cup title.
After Bangladesh U-19 team bowled out Indian colts for 106, it was Dhruv's last-minute pep talk in the team huddle that fired up the team. The Indian colts snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and won the finale by just 5 runs.
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"When we took the field after being bowled out for 106, I just told the guys (in the huddle) 'chin up and shoulders up. I wanted my team to do something different and they did brilliantly. I told them that millions of people are watching us so let's show them who we are. They have bowled us out for 106 but they will have to score in triple figures themselves. So, let's give it our best and stop them'. I wanted my team to be aggressive and go in with a positive approach in the final," Dhruv said.
"I want to give credit to the entire team. We had a class and talented bunch of players. We all did a lot of homework before going into the series (Under-19 Asia Cup). We played Challengers, England tour and then quadrangular series before the Asia Cup. It was altogether comprehensive preparations for us. We were 35 to 45 players in the squad and our coaches and management kept shuffling the players to prepare us well. We all knew each other well and the things that helped us in this victory were team coordination and being on the same page," the captain said.
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The hero of the final was Mumbai spinner Atharva Ankolekar who finished with figures of 5/28 to dismantle the Bangladesh innings and help India win the coveted title.
"I knew Atharva (Ankolekar) can play a big role. He is a talented bowler. When he started his spell, I was continuously telling him the areas to target. Both of us were observing Bangladesh batsmen's foot movement and their body language closely. We planned every wicket together and thankfully, all plans worked well in our favour," Dhruv said.
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For any upcoming Indian wicket-keeper batsman, the role model will more often than not be MS Dhoni. It's different for Dhruv.
"Dhoni is my role model. He has served Indian cricket for so long. He is a legend. The way he has led the Indian side and guided bowlers from behind the wickets is incredible," the youngster told TimesofIndia.com.
"I have learnt a lot by observing him (Dhoni). Someday I want people to know me by my name - Dhruv, just like they know Dhoni sir," Dhruv signed off.
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