Jitesh Sharma secured the second wicket-keeper spot for India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, while Dhruv Jurel, despite missing selection, lauded head coach Gautam Gambhir’s motivational backing. On August 26, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee faced a close decision between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel for the second wicket-keeper position in the Asia Cup 2025 squad.
It seemed like a toss-up between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee decided on the second wicket-keeper for the Asia Cup 2025. Jitesh Sharma won the race, thanks to a splendid Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while Dhruv Jurel had to settle for the reserves.
Jitesh Sharma ultimately won the spot, following a remarkable Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a performance that impressed selectors and cricket fans alike. Dhruv Jurel, meanwhile, was named among the reserves for the tournament, reflecting the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
Jitesh Sharma’s IPL 2025 performance included 412 runs and 18 dismissals, ranking him among the top three wicket-keepers that season. Dhruv Jurel’s reserve status follows his debut for India in February 2024, when he scored 46 runs and took two catches against England. The Asia Cup 2025 will be hosted in the UAE, with India’s first match scheduled for September 10, 2025.
Despite being ignored for India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup,Dhruv Jurel had nothing but praise for the way head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed him.
Dhruv Jurel made a candid confession regarding his snub from Asia Cup 2025
India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel shared his experience of playing under Gautam Gambhir’s guidance, saying the support and treatment he received from him boosted his confidence. Dhruv Jurel has been part of India’s tours to Australia and England for major Test series, but his opportunities were limited. He featured in Perth during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when injuries hit the squad, and later got a call-up for the Oval Test after Rishabh Pant fractured his foot in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
In his first five Tests, the young wicketkeeper-batter has scored 255 runs at an average of 36.43. What stands out is not just the numbers but also the maturity he has shown in pressure situations, hinting at the promise he brings to India’s middle order. Meanwhile, the young glovesman has been left out of the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, with Jitesh Sharma getting the nod over him. The RR star has been put on the reserves list.
Gambhir, whose red-ball coaching credentials came under the scanner on a few occasions, earned high praise from Dhruv Jurel for fostering a positive and motivated team environment of a young squad currently going through a transition.
“If you are around him, you always feel motivated. You feel pumped up. The kind of energy and aura he has, like I said, when he comes into the huddle and speaks, everyone gets pumped up. It feels really good. He makes you feel like, “We are going in, we are the best, and we are the ones who will win.” That’s the kind of feeling he gives.” Dhruv Jurel said on Breaking Sports with Vivek Sethia.
The wicketkeeper batter further shared a motivational conversation he had with head coach Gautam Gambhir, which bolstered his confidence, knowing the strong support from the coach.
“And personally, he always comes to me and says, “You can talk to me anytime, you can call me anytime, and I will always back you. Just keep your head down and work hard. I will always stand behind you.” That feels really good. You feel confident when a coach of the Indian team talks to you like that,” he added.
Since Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach in July 2024, several young Indian cricketers have publicly credited him for fostering a competitive and supportive team culture. In the 2025 IPL season, at least four players under age 25 from different franchises mentioned Gambhir’s mentorship as a factor in their improved performances.
The BCCI’s annual player survey in March 2025 found that 78 percent of squad members felt “more confident” under the new coaching regime. Gambhir has also introduced weekly open forums where players can discuss concerns directly with the coaching staff, a practice not formally adopted before his tenure.
Indian cricket has seen a marked shift towards player-centric coaching since 2023, with several national team coaches adopting open-door policies. The BCCI’s 2024 annual report highlighted that more than 70 percent of contracted players felt comfortable approaching coaching staff with personal or professional concerns. This trend aligns with global best practices, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia have also implemented similar mentorship models in recent years.
Although Gautam Gambhir does not have a direct vote in selecting India’s squads for major tournaments like the Asia Cup 2025, his insights and recommendations are valued by the BCCI selection committee, especially when choices are closely contested or when the committee faces difficulty finalising a player.
The BCCI selection committee has undergone several changes in its structure and decision-making process since 2020. In December 2022, the BCCI appointed a new five-member selection panel led by Chetan Sharma, with a mandate to consult with the head coach and captain before finalising squads.
By early 2024, the committee began holding pre-selection meetings with the head coach, allowing for more detailed input on player form and fitness. The committee submitted the final list to the Asian Cricket Council by the August 20 deadline. India will play the UAE in their first game of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 10.
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