Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant to play together in SA Tests as Gautam Gambhir loses faith in Nitish Kumar Reddy
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India are all set to play with both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant in the first Test at the Eden Gardens against South Africa. Though they are fighting for the same spot, Gautam Gambhir has reportedly cited Nitish Kumar Reddy's position in the team to be replaced by Jurel.
Rishabh Pant could not feature in the Test series against the West Indies at home since he was recovering from an injury that he suffered back in England. Dhruv Jurel, who was drafted into the Indian XI for the tour, scored a spectacular century in the very first innings.
They both were part of the India A squad for the tour against South Africa A. Rishabh Pant was announced as the skipper of the India A team and led them to a win in the first game against the South African side.
Dhruv Jurel showing stellar form
Since the start of the home season, Dhruv Jurel's sequence of scores has reflected some promising performance from the Indian wicket-keeper batsman. He has scored 140, 1 & 56, 125, 44 & 6, 132 & 127 not out.
With four hundred, including an international ton and a 40-plus score in the last eight of his first-class games, Jurel could not be ignored by the Indian selectors as well as the Indian head coach. Dhruv Jurel can be sorted in at no. 3; however, Sai Sudharsan scored a fifty in his last Test match.
"Jurel is likely to play as a specialist batter. Ideally, there are two slots where he could be fitted in. One was Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, but he has a half-century in his last Test, and the team management wants a settled No. 3," a BCCI source privy to the selection developments told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Nitish Kumar Reddy to be snubbed from the Test XI
Nitish Kumar Reddy was given just a few overs during the West Indies series, which suggests his limited need under Indian conditions. The all-rounder's return from injury has not yet been reported as of yet, after he struggled with neck spasms ahead of the Australia T20 series.
It is understood that Reddy is part of the Indian squad but might be kept out of the playing XI despite Gautam Gambhir's willingness to play a batter till no. 8. While they might be looking to play with their three spinners, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav, there will be two more seamers in the side.
"The other place is Nitish Kumar Reddy and he can't be played ahead of Jurel considering that his bowling won't be required much in these Indian conditions," he added.
Rishabh Pant back as India's vice-captain
Rishabh Pant has once again been named as the vice-captain of the side. In his absence, Ravindra Jadeja was named the vice-captain of the Test team in the West Indies series.
Pant will be playing alongside another specialist keeper, Dhruv Jurel, on the side.
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India National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team India vs South Africa South Africa vs India Rishabh Pant Dhruv Jurel Gautam Gambhir Nitish Kumar Reddy
