Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Kumar Sangakkara showcased his respectful gesture towards Dhruv Jurel's father after the teams' seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, April 27.
Jurel was one of the instrumental players in Rajasthan Royals' win as they almost secured their berth for the playoffs of the ongoing IPL season. The 23-year-old brought up his maiden IPL fifty and contributed to RR's 197-run chase with a knock of 52 off 34 balls while forming an unbeaten 121-run stand with skipper Sanju Samson, who played an innings of 71 off 33 balls.
In a video shared by Rajasthan Royals on its X handle (formerly Twitter), Dhruv Jurel's father was seen entering the ground after the match to celebrate his maiden IPL fifty. However, Kumar Sangakkara saw youngster's father and immediately took his cap off as a mark of respect and shook hands with him.
It was a much needed fifty for Dhruv Jurel as he had a torrid in the last eight matches before the clash against Lucknow Super Giants. In eight matches, he scored just 50 runs at an average of below 10. After his brilliant knock, Jurel's tally increased to 102 runs at an average 25.50 and a strike rate of 134.31.
'I always play for my papa': Jurel on salute celebration
After completing his maiden IPL fifty, Dhruv Jurel did a 'salute' celebration. Speaking on the gesture, the 23-year-old said it was for his father who served in the Indian Army.
"I always play for my papa, I did so during the Test match as well. He was then in the army, he was there today and that was for him." Jurel said after the match.
Dhruv Jurel did similar celebration when he scored his maiden Test fifty in the fourth match of the five-match series against England at JSCA Cricket Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Dhruv Jurel will look to come up goods again when Rajasthan Royals take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, May 2.
