'Mera ladka ban gaya INDIA' - Riyan Parag thrilled as Dhruv Jurel receives maiden India call-up

Riyan Parag expressed sheer elation as his Rajasthan Royals comrade, Dhruv Jurel, received his maiden India call-up for the initial two Test matches against England. The imminent clash between India and England, scheduled to commence on 25th January in Hyderabad, has set the stage for this thrilling encounter. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the roster for the initial two Tests on Friday preceding the series kick-off. 

Parag, who shares a profound camaraderie with Jurel from their India A days and their joint stint with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, took to his social media handle to convey his joy. The dynamic all-rounder's jubilation highlighted the bond forged through shared experiences on the field and exemplified the close-knit cricketing fraternity.

"Mera ladka ban gaya INDIA ab rok ke dikhao koi @dhruvjurel21 (my boy is now an India player, try and stop him if you can.)," Parag wrote on his ‘X’ post.

Here's Parag's latest post on 'X':

In a brief yet impactful cricketing career spanning just 15 first-class matches, Jurel has showcased his mettle with an impressive average of 46.47, featuring a century and five half-centuries. His recent standout performance for India A against South Africa A, where he notched up a commendable 69 in Benoni, further attests to his promising talent.

Jurel to rub shoulders with Indian stalwarts

Although not slated to assume the role of India's primary wicketkeeper at the outset, the experience of sharing the dressing room with stalwarts promises a valuable learning curve for the budding cricketer. Jurel, in sharing his moment of selection with his family, disclosed their initial shock. Upon revealing his inclusion in the Indian cricket team, his father's inquiry about the team led to a simple yet profound response: ‘The one with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.’

“When I told my dad, he was ecstatic. He asked me for which Indian team I have been selected. I said ‘the one with Rohit (Sharma) bhaiya and Virat (Kohli) bhaiya’. It was an emotional moment for the entire family,” Jurel said as quoted by Dainik Jagran.