Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan to be dropped from India Playing 11? Rohit Sharma drops hint ahead of 1st Test

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has hinted at the playing XI for the upcoming first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma indirectly revealed that young Indian players Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel are unlikely to be included in the playing XI for the series opener.

Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel made their Test debuts during the Test series against England earlier this year. They got a chance to represent the national team in the absence of key players. With the return of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, there is uncertainty about their place in the XI.

We Have Seen What We Can Do With The Bat - Rohit Sharma

At the pre-match press conference, Rohit Sharma praised young players Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan ahead of the Test series.

Rohit said that Jaiswal and Jurel have the potential to play all three formats and added that they are very hungry to play cricket for India.

"When we played the last series in India, lot of players were injured, unavailable and they missed it due to various reasons. There are injuries, few players are at NCA but majority of them are here. We’ve got to pick an eleven based on how we want to play and which gives us a best chance to win the Test," Rohit said.

"Don’t need to speak too much to them. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel are new to Test cricket. We have seen what we can do with the bat and Jurel with the bat and behind the stumps. They can play all three formats."

"It all depends on what you think in your mind as well. They are very hungry to play cricket for India, there’s hunger for success," Rohit added.

Sarfaraz scored two half-centuries in his maiden Test match for India. Khan has scored 200 runs in five innings at an average of 50.00, including three half-centuries. Meanwhile, Jurel has amassed 190 runs in four innings at an average of 53.67. He was named Player of the Match in his second Test.

We Have That Mix Of Everything - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma said that Yashasvi Jaiswal had a good series against England, and Dhruv Jurel performed well under pressure.

Rohit emphasized that the team has a mix of fearless, cautious, and responsible players, adding that this balance is a positive sign.

"Jaiswal had a very good series last time. Jurel got runs under pressure. Sarfaraz Khan is fearless, not worrying too much about what happens outside. You need all sorts of players who are fearless, cautious and responsible as well. We have that mix of everything and it’s a good sign," Rohit added.

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a record-breaking 712 runs in the five-match Test series against England. The left-handed batter hit two double hundreds during the series. Overall, the southpaw has scored 1,028 runs in 9 Test matches at an average of 68.53, including three centuries and four half-centuries.

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