When Rajasthan Royals (RR) took a decision to retain Dhruv Jurel at a whopping Rs 14 crore, it startled many. While his high-ceiling potential is not a mystery, one would think that RR could’ve picked him at a cheaper price at the IPL 2025 auction. Regardless, skipper Sanju Samson has thrown that he and RR management have a big “promotion” idea for Jurel!
Sanju Samson to drop himself as keeper at IPL 2025?
Sanju Samson, the charismatic skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, has just dropped a bombshell that’s set to change the dynamics of the team for the 2025 IPL season. After years of steadying the ship from behind the stumps, Samson has decided to hang up the gloves, at least part-time. This is due to the fact that he wants Dhruv Jurel, India’s current backup Test gloveman, to keep more often in the IPL. In a candid chat on AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel, Samson revealed his plan to share the wicketkeeping duties with Jurel, acknowledging the youngster’s burgeoning career.
“I have not said this on air but we feel where Dhruv Jurel is at this point of his career as a Test wicket-keeper, he needs to wear the gloves in the IPL. That was a discussion. I think we will be sharing gloves. I have never captained as a fielder. That might be challenging. I have told him ‘Dhruv, I understand where you are coming from & I think as a leader of the team, you should also keep for a few games,” said Samson while speaking at AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel. As a wicket-keeper Samson has inflicted 80 dismissals (64 catches and 16 stumps) for RR. Meanwhile, Jurel has never kept wickets in IPL.
With Jos Buttler’s departure, there’s a gaping hole at the top of the order next to Jaiswal. Samson’s recent heroics for India as an opener, where he’s blasted three tons in five innings, might just see him donning the opener’s hat for RR too. As for Jurel, he might bat at number five, after the likes of Nitish Rana and Riyan Parag in the middle order.
Best Playing XI for MI for IPL 2025 (batting first)
| S No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
| 2 | Sanju Samson | Keeper (C) |
| 3 | Nitish Rana | Batter |
| 4 | Riyan Parag | Batting all-rounder |
| 5 | Dhruv Jurel | Batter |
| 6 | Shimron Hetmyer (O) | Batter |
| 7 | Shubham Dubey | Batter |
| 8 | Wanindu Hasaranga (O) | All-rounder |
| 9 | Jofra Archer (O) | Bowling all-rounder |
| 10 | Tushar Deshpande | Bowler |
| 11 | Sandeep Sharma | Bowler |
Impact Sub: Maheesh Theekshana/Fazalhaq Farooqi
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