India Told To Include Dhruv Jurel As A Pure Batter For 1st Test Against South Africa | Cricket News

Sourav Ganguly bats for Dhruv Jurel’s selection in India’s playing XI for Kolkata Test against South Africa. (Picture Credit: PTI)

Former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly bats for Dhruv Jurel’s selection in India’s playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa. The first Test of the India-South Africa series will be played from November 14 to 18 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Jurel, who made his Test debut for India last year in Rajkot against England, was India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the home series against the West Indies last month, but after Rishabh Pant was included in India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against the Proteas on November 5, there are doubts over Jurel’s place in the playing XI.

In Pant’s absence Jurel impressed with his batting against the West Indies, and in the recently concluded second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A as well, he maintained his red-hot form by scoring unbeaten centuries in both the innings.

Impressed by Jurel’s recent performances with the bat, former India captain Ganguly feels the Agra-based cricketer should play in the first Test starting Friday (November 14) as a pure batter.

“He’s playing well, isn’t he? Rishabh is back, and I don’t know what the selectors are thinking. Basically, the spots are taken — two openers, (Shubman) Gill at 4, Pant at 5, KL (Rahul), and (Ravindra) Jadeja are there. Players have performed. How easy will it be to open up a slot for Dhruv Jurel at this stage? I wouldn’t know… But it depends on whom they want to send at No. 3 — whether they want to go with Sai Sudharsan or bring in our in-form Dhruv. We’ll find out,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

South Africa are coming to India after winning a Test match in Pakistan after 17 years, but according to Ganguly, the Proteas have to play really well to compete with India in India.

“Because India’s spin attack is very good. And this young team went to England three months ago and played exceptionally well. It was a fantastic series to watch — exceptional performances by Gill, Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Rahul, and Pant. They’ve been exceptional. Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, Jadeja… India are a bundle of talent.”

“South Africa, I know they’ve played well in Pakistan. But India in India are a different kettle of fish. They’ll have to play really, really well to compete with India,” Ganguly said.

Apart from playing two Tests in India, the second of which will be played from November 22 to 26 in Guwahati, South Africa will also take part in three ODIs and five T20I matches.