NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel underlined the importance of preparation and guidance as he struck his maiden Test century on Friday, helping India dominate the West Indies in the opening Test in Ahmedabad. The 24-year-old produced a 125-run knock, sharing a 206-run fifth-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to give India a commanding lead of 286 runs at stumps on Day 2.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“It’s about the huge privilege even if you are not getting the chance to play. You are with the squad. How many get to be with the squad and how many get to play Test cricket?” Jurel said after the close of play. “I keep working hard because I know one day I will get an opportunity and I have to be 100 per cent ready to deliver.”

Jurel revealed that a mix of discipline, routines, and visualisation keeps him ready for opportunities, regardless of how often he plays.

“I do a lot of visualisation whether I am playing or not, so when I play a match, it doesn’t feel anything new. I visualise everything — from walking in to taking the stance. Nothing feels different. I am always prepared whether I am playing or not,” he said. He added that visualising field placements and risk-free scoring options allows him to contribute effectively in longer formats.The Indian keeper-batter also credited England great Joe Root for helping him fine-tune his batting approach. “Whenever I feel there is something, I go to him as to what I can do with my batting and he gives simple answers on how I can play and tackle situations. He says it is difficult to remain consistent, but you have to keep doing the same things every day and you will get the results,” Jurel said, recalling their time together during Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.Jurel’s century carried a personal touch. He dedicated it to the Indian Army and his father, a Kargil war veteran. “The salute after reaching my fifty was for my father, but for the hundred, it was something I had in my mind for a long time. What we do on the ground and what they do on the battlefield is very difficult to compare. I will always have my respect, and whatever I do in the future will be for them,” he said.With his disciplined approach, extensive visualisation, and mentorship, Jurel has demonstrated that India’s wicketkeeping and batting options remain in safe hands, ready to rise to the occasion whenever the opportunity arises.