Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan Test debut confirmed with fresh images from Rajkot training session
Updated - 13 Feb 2024, 04:08 PM
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Young Indian batters Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are expected to make their Test debuts in the upcoming match against England. Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are likely to feature in international cricket for the first time during the third Test against England in Rajkot.
The Rohit Sharma-led team will face England at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, beginning on February 15. The home team lost the first Test by 28 runs before registering a comprehensive 106-run victory in the second match in Visakhapatnam.
KS Bharat displayed commendable skills behind the stumps in challenging subcontinent conditions. However, the Andhra wicketkeeper struggled with the bat. In the England series, he scored only 92 runs in four innings at an average of 23, with a best score of 41.
Bharat made his Test debut in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar series. He has not yet reached the milestone of scoring a half-century, scoring 221 runs with an average of only 20.09 across seven Tests. As a result, Dhruv Jurel is set to replace him in the Indian playing XI.
Dhruv Jurel To Replace KS Bharat In Playing XI For Third Test
In a picture shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter), Dhruv Jurel can be seen practicing wicketkeeping duties ahead of the third Test match. Sarfaraz Khan is positioned at the first slip, Yashasvi Jaiswal at the second slip, and Rajat Patidar at the gully during the practice session.
Jurel as keeper, Sarfaraz in 1st slip, Jaiswal in 2nd slip & Patidar in gully during practice session. [Gaurav Gupta from TOI] pic.twitter.com/BYXtXnvB9l
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2024
Dhruv Jurel boasts a remarkable first-class record, scoring 790 runs from 15 matches at an impressive average of 46.47, including one century and five half-centuries. Jurel showcased his talent with two half-centuries while representing India A in South Africa.
Sarfaraz Khan To Make His International Debut In Third Test vs England
KL Rahul, who missed the second Test due to a complaint of pain in his right quadriceps, remains unavailable for the upcoming. Additionally, with Shreyas Iyer being dropped from the squad, Sarfaraz Khan is expected to make his international debut in Rajkot.
Sarfaraz earned his debut call-up to the national team after consistently scoring in first-class cricket. The 26-year-old has established himself as a formidable batter, scoring 3,912 from 45 matches at an impressive average of 69.85, including 14 centuries and 11 fifties.
Devdutt Padikkal Named As KL Rahul’s Replacement For Third Test
The BCCI announced on Monday that KL Rahul will continue rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru to ensure full fitness for the fourth and fifth Tests. Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal has been named as Rahul’s replacement for the third Test.
“Mr. Rahul has reached 90 percent of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team. He will continue his recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to be completely match-fit for the fourth and fifth Test. The Men’s Selection Committee named Devdutt Padikkal as KL Rahul’s replacement for the third Test, starting February 15, 2024,” the release added.
India’s squad for the 3rd Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Devdutt Padikkal.
