Ahmedabad, Oct 3 (UNI) Towards evening at Narendra Modi Stadium, Dhruv Jurel today played a knock that will linger long in Indian cricket lore as the wicketkeeper-batsman notched his maiden Test century, a patient and sparkling 125 off 210 balls, but it was the gestures and soulful celebrations that truly stole the show.

On reaching fifty, Jurel raised his fist in a simple, heartfelt salute to his father, Nem Chand, a retired Havildar and Kargil War veteran. By the time the century arrived, he stood tall, bat held upright, mimicking a guard-of-honour, a silent tribute to the Indian Army. “My fifty celebration was for my father. The hundred celebration was for the Indian Army because I have seen how hard they work. They deserve it,” Jurel said after the day’s play.

The innings was not ju

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