Indian keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has strolled down memory lane to recall his childhood. Jurel, who is currently part of the Indian One-Day and Test squads, has opened up about the challenges he faced while playing the game in his childhood.
Speaking on former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel, Jurel recalled how he eventually enrolled in a cricket camp after initially joining swimming classes. While he didn’t reveal the same to his family, his father got to know about it when his name came in a newspaper.
“My friends and I decided to join swimming classes in the summer camp at Eklavya Stadium. I saw guys playing cricket in whites. I ditched my friends, filled out the form for cricket, and came back home quietly. I did not tell my father about it. I played a match after borrowing equipment. I scored some runs in that match, and my name came in the newspaper. My father asked me who that was. He understood that I was lying. He realized that I was very passionate about it and supported me a lot after that,” Jurel said.
Jurel, who is currently part of the Indian ODI team for the forthcoming three-match series against the West Indies at home, has played 12 Tests and four T20Is for India. Further, Jurel recalled that his father was against him taking up the sport and wanted him to aim for government jobs instead.
“I used to play a lot of gully cricket. I told my father that I wanted to play professionally, but he said no. He was in a government job and wanted me to do the same. This is common in middle-class families, where you want a settled life for future generations,” he added.
