Aakash Chopra opens up on Dhruv Jurel’s place in India’s XI for IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Dhruv Jurel can not compete with Rishabh Pant for the wicket-keeping slot and he can be played as a pure batter in the opening Test match against South Africa. Chopra believes Jurel can replace Nitish Kumar Reddy in the final XI.

Jurel had impressed in the two Test matches against the West Indies in the absence of injured Pant as he had scored 175 runs in three innings at an average of 87.50. However, with Pant returning to India’s Test squad, it would be interesting to note India’s playing combination.

Jurel has been in fine form and recently returned with scores of 132 and 127 in the second unofficial Test against South Africa A while playing for India A. 

“The team has been selected and both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are there. Rishabh Pant will play. Rishabh Pant is the vice-captain. So he is going to play and he should play. He is a generational talent if you talk about Test cricket, but I feel Dhruv Jurel should also be played. A place should be created for him in the XI,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“The question will be whether you will compromise Sai Sudharsan from the top or Nitish Kumar Reddy from below. I think Sai Sudharsan should be allowed to play at No. 3. You haven’t got Nitish Kumar Reddy to do his job properly thus far. So you can actually sacrifice him and keep Dhruv Jurel there,” he added.

The renowned commentator said Jurel should be preferred ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy if the latter is going to bowl only five or six overs.

“Jurel and Pant scoring runs together, it’s so many good headaches for this Indian setup, in the T20 setup, in the ODI setup, in the Test setup, but then again, if they are going to bowl Nitish Kumar Reddy just five or six overs, they might as well play Jurel,” Aaron said.

The former Delhi cricketer said playing two matches against South Africa A will hold Rishabh Pant in good stead.

“Match practice is second to none when it comes to practice, because in a match, no matter what level of game you play, there is pressure. No matter how much you bat in the nets, there is always that difference between the match pressure and the net pressure. In a match, you just have one chance to get out. In the nets, you can get out so many times. I feel it’s great that Rishabh Pant played a game,” Aaron observed.

The opening Test match between India and South Africa will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 14 onwards.