Ranchi, Feb 21: He is a legend. He has done enough as a cricketer, as a person and as an Indian captain, to earn respect and adulation from not only his contemporaries, opponents, fans and experts, but also has been a source of inspiration for next generation players.
In Jersey No 7, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was the magician for Team India for years. He continues that magic and aura even today, for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
He is adorable, warm and is blessed with a sharp cricket brain. His roles as a finisher, a gloves-man and as a captain, are no secrets for any cricket fan round the globe.
For any young, aspiring or professional wicket-keeper batsman, Dhoni is a great source of inspiration, an ideal role model.
Perhaps, that is the reason why almost every young Indian wicket-keeper batter in India (men or women), wants to idolise him, meet him, gain knowledge and wisdom from him.
Talented Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut for India in the Rajkot Test, which the hosts won by a whopping 434 runs, is also keen to meet Dhoni, during the Ranchi Test, which starts from Friday.
Ahead of the fourth Test between India and England at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, wicketkeeper-batter Jurel said he hopes to get a chance to meet the legendary Dhoni during his time in the city for the match.
In the Rajkot Test, Jurel made a confident 46 while pulling off a stunning run-out of Ben Duckett – collecting, running and dislodging the stumps in a single motion - in the second innings, thus showing that he’s adept at both skills in the longer format.
"My dream is to meet Mahi Bhai especially after the match, that too after an international game, in the Indian jersey. Whenever I have talked to him, I have always learnt something new from him and that has been very helpful in my cricket. So, I will hope that I get a chance to meet him during the fourth Test at Ranchi," he said in a video posted by BCCI on ‘X’.
Jurel is the fourth wicketkeeper for India in Tests after Rishabh Pant’s accident in December 2022 meant he is on the long road to recovery. India had previously tried KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul in the wicketkeeper-batter slot in Tests, but none of them fit the bill.
Jurel’s good show on Test debut earned him plaudits for his gloves-work and batting temperament. He also recalled his first meeting with Dhoni in IPL 2023, which was also his first season with Rajasthan Royals.
"I was just watching him and then, I stood up and started thinking ‘Is this MS Dhoni standing in front of me?’. My first interaction with him was in IPL 2023 which was my first season. At that time, I was pinching myself to see whether it is a dream or not.
"When I got to him, I said, ‘Sir, Bhaiya’ and from inside, I was thinking ‘How should I be addressing him?’ I then asked him, ‘Can I have a picture with you?’ and then the click was taken. He gave me just one advice: just go out and watch the ball and play." (With IANS support)
