Dhruv Jurel emulates MS Dhoni's remarkable performance in Duleep Trophy with stellar wicketkeeping against India B

Young India wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel has matched the impressive record of legendary wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Duleep Trophy. Jurel, currently playing for India A in the tournament, displayed exceptional wicketkeeping abilities in a match against India B at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The young UP wicketkeeper was at his acrobatic best and claimed 7 catches in the second innings and equalled MS Dhoni's record of most catches taken by a wicketkeeper in a Duleep Trophy innings. Legendary Dhoni achieved the feat at the initial phase of his career in 2004 while playing for East Zone.

Duleep Trophy: Most Catches by a Wicket-keeper in an InningsNameCatchesTeamSeasonMS Dhoni7East Zone2004-05Dhruv Jurel7India A2024-25Sunil Benjamin6Central Zone1973-74Sadanand Viswanath6South Zone1980-81

23-year-old Jurel picked one catch in the first innings but played a massive role in assisting his bowlers with seven grabs in the second innings. He took the crucial catches of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan and Nitish Reddy. While Navdeep Saini's was the final catch he grabbed in the match as India B posted 184 in the second innings.

Chasing the target, Jurel had a forgettable outing with the bat and was dismissed for a duck in the second innings.

Earlier, Jurel kicked off the year on a high note, delivering standout performances in domestic cricket that led to his maiden Test call-up during India’s home series against England. Jurel made a big impact in debut series scoring 190 runs in four innings across three Tests, including a notable 90-run knock in his first match. India were without the likes of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul but Jurel stood tall when he got the opportunity.

Rishabh Pant vs Dhruv Jurel for Bangladesh Tests

India gears up for its upcoming Test series against Bangladesh next month, Jurel’s place in the Test XI appears uncertain. Rishabh Pant, the first-choice wicketkeeper before his 2022 car accident, has returned to cricketing action and played a pivotal role in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign as a No. 3 batter.

Pant is also set to participate in the Duleep Trophy, the red-ball tournament marking the start of the domestic season. His past heroics in Test cricket, particularly during the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, remain legendary.

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