Gautam Gambhir confirms Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from India Playing 11; Rishabh Pant cleared

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has provided details about the playing XI for the upcoming first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh. Gautam Gambhir also confirmed that Rishabh Pant will be preferred over Dhruv Jurel as the wicketkeeper-batter in the XI for the series opener.

Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan made their debuts for India during the third Test of the five-match home series against England at Rajkot. Sarfaraz scored two half-centuries in his maiden Test match. Jurel was awarded 'Player of the Match' for his brilliant batting performance in his second Test.

We Don't Drop Anyone - Gautam Gambhir

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Chennai on Wednesday, Gautam Gambhir said that the team focuses on selecting the best XI rather than dropping players.

He highlighted that Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are exceptional talents, but they may need to wait for their opportunities.

"We don’t drop anyone. We just pick the players who fit the XI. We believe in selecting the XI. Jurel is a phenomenal player when Pant is coming in, sometimes people have to wait. Same with Sarfaraz. There will be opportunities and you have to wait," Gambhir said.

On new players:

We don’t drop anyone. We just pick the players who fit the XI. We believe in selecting the XI. Jurel is a phenomenal player when Pant is coming in, sometimes people have to wait. Same with Sarfaraz. There will be opportunities and you have to wait.

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) September 18, 2024

Sarfaraz has scored 200 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 50.00, with the help of three fifties. Jurel has amassed 190 runs in four innings at an average of 53.67, with a best score of 90. However, they won't be retained in the playing XI with the return of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.

Behind The Stumps Rishabh Pant Has Been Phenomenal - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir praised Rishabh Pant for his impressive performances. The head coach said that Pant can be destructive with the bat and also good with the wicketkeeping gloves. Gambhir emphasized that Pant's batting often overshadows his wicketkeeping, especially against spinners.

"We all know how destructive he can be and what he has done. Not many of his age has done it across conditions. With batting and behind the stumps he has been phenomenal. His batting over shadows his keeping especially against the spinners," Gambhir added.

On Pant:

We all know how destructive he can be and what he has done. Not many of his age has done it across conditions. With batting and behind the stumps he has been phenomenal. His batting over shadows his keeping especially against the spinners.

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) September 18, 2024

Rishabh Pant last played a Test match for India against Bangladesh in December 2022. He was sidelined from red-ball cricket due to multiple injuries sustained during a car accident. He will return to the team for the first Test, set to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium from September 19.

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