Dhruv Jurel's maiden Test century against the West Indies was not just a personal milestone but also a heartfelt tribute to his father and the Indian Army. On the second day of the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Jurel, playing in his sixth Test, reached the coveted three-figure mark in 190 balls. The 25-year-old's innings, filled with composure and skill, included 12 boundaries and two sixes.
The moment Jurel reached his century was charged with emotion. After a quick embrace with Ravindra Jadeja, his partner in a crucial 206-run stand, Jurel removed his helmet, raised his bat, and acknowledged the applause from the crowd. He then performed a gesture reminiscent of a guard of honor, dedicating it to the Indian Army. This tribute followed an earlier salute he gave upon reaching his half-century, which was dedicated to his father, Nem Chand Jurel, a retired Havildar who served in the 1999 Kargil War.
Jurel explained that the celebration for his fifty was for his father, while the gesture for his hundred was dedicated to the Indian Army, showing his respect for soldiers on the battlefield. He added that he has been close to the Indian Army and respects their service. "What we do on the ground and what they do on the battlefield is very difficult and you cannot compare that. I will always have my respect and whatever I will do in the future will be for them," Jurel said.
Jurel's innings was a masterclass in adapting to the conditions. He played late, allowed the ball to come to him, and made excellent use of the off-side behind square. He was also decisive with his footwork against the spinners, giving them little room to trouble him. After settling in, Jurel accelerated towards the end of the day, capitalizing on his form and confidence. He was eventually dismissed for 125 off 210 balls.
This century marked a significant achievement for Jurel, who became the 12th Indian wicketkeeper to score a Test century and the fifth to register a maiden hundred against the West Indies. It was also the third century by an Indian wicketkeeper in 2025, the most in a calendar year. Jurel seized the opportunity to play in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant, solidifying his position as a valuable asset to the team.
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan praised Jurel's performance and suggested that he could be considered as a pure batter in the future. Jurel's performance, along with centuries from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, put India in a commanding position in the match. India dominated the second day, finishing at 448 for 5, with a lead of 286 runs.
