Image: Dhruv Jurel trends online following a viral photo showcasing his new symbolic tattoo / © Cricinfo
As the bat went up after Dhruv Jurel completed his second Test hundred against Sri Lanka in Colombo, there was something else that caught the eye. Jurel pointed towards a tattoo on his arm that says “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. The words have a strong connection with his family. His father, Nem Singh, is a Kargil war veteran, while his grandfather worked as a farmer. Jurel was brought up in a fauji family in Agra.
His father wanted him to join the National Defence Academy, but his son had other plans. Cricket had already become a major part of Jurel’s life. After the family shifted to Agra in 2008, he started going to a local cricket academy without informing his father. The secret did not stay hidden for long. Nem Singh came across Jurel’s name in a newspaper after he scored heavily in a local tournament.
His father was upset at first, but eventually accepted Jurel’s decision to make cricket his career. His mother also supported him, even selling her jewellery to buy him a cricket kit. From there, Jurel moved through age group and domestic cricket before earning opportunities with the Rajasthan Royals and India.
His first Test century came against the West Indies in Ahmedabad last October. In Colombo, he followed it with another hundred, showing the patience that has become an important part of his batting. The tattoo was a simple reminder of where his journey began and the family that stood behind it.