Former India fast bowler Mohit Sharma said that Rajasthan Royals (RR) wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel is a future captaincy candidate. This statement comes after Jurel provided brilliant tactical advice to skipper Riyan Parag, helping the franchise secure a thrilling six-run victory against Gujarat Titans (GT) during IPL 2026.
Rajasthan Royals successfully defended a massive 211-run target at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 4. The visiting team restricted Gujarat Titans to 204 for eight in their 20 overs. Jurel played a starring role with the bat before making game-changing inputs from behind the stumps.
Dhruv Jurel Is One Prospect For Rajasthan Royals – Mohit Sharma
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Mohit Sharma praised Dhruv Jurel for his exceptional game awareness against Gujarat Titans. The former fast bowler stated that the 25-year-old wicketkeeper ticks all the necessary boxes to become a vice-captain or future leader whenever Riyan Parag is unavailable.
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“His game awareness is really good, it is a really good thing, he represents India as well, so that game awareness should be there,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.
“He is one prospect for RR in the future, because now you have a new captain, with time you may have to find another person who can be vice-captain, or even captain the side if Riyan Parag is not there. He can also be a good option,” he added.
Jurel has leadership experience in domestic cricket. The wicketkeeper has captained Uttar Pradesh and the Gorakhpur Lions in the UP T20 League. He also led the Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025. Jurel guided the India U-19 team to the Asia Cup title in 2019.
Credit to Dhruv Jurel for Bowling Changes – Riyan Parag
Dhruv Jurel suggested using Jofra Archer for the nineteenth over. Gujarat Titans required just 15 runs from 12 deliveries with three wickets remaining. Archer conceded only four runs, leaving Tushar Deshpande with 11 runs to defend in the final over.
Riyan Parag acknowledged Jurel’s tactical brilliance during the post-match presentation. The skipper admitted he was planning a different bowling rotation before the wicketkeeper intervened.
“I was actually going to switch up the order, so credit to Dhruv Jurel for that. He asked me to go with Jofra in the 19th,” Parag said.
Tushar Deshpande successfully defended 11 runs in the final over by nailing his yorkers. The fast bowler conceded just four runs and dismissed the dangerous Rashid Khan on the penultimate delivery. Rashid Khan scored 24 runs off 16 balls before getting out.
Dhruv Jurel And Ravi Bishnoi Shine In Thrilling Victory
Earlier in the match, Dhruv Jurel justified his promotion to number three. He top-scored for Rajasthan Royals with 75 runs off 42 balls, including five fours and five sixes, helping the team post 210 for six.
Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan scored 73 off 44 balls during the chase. Jos Buttler added 26 off 14 against his former team. However, impact player Ravi Bishnoi turned the match with four wickets for 41 runs.
Tushar Deshpande, Riyan Parag, and Nandre Burger picked up one wicket each. Gujarat’s lower order, including Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan, could not handle the rising required rate, as Rajasthan Royals secured an important away win.
