Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel believes Dhruv Jurel has done enough to be considered as a pure batter in Test cricket for the two-match series against South Africa. 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.
Speaking on the team’s playing combination, Patel shed light on the playing XI.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will open. Sai Sudharsan will be at No. 3, Shubman Gill at No. 4, and then you will see Rishabh Pant playing at No. 5. The No. 6 position is slightly tricky. Otherwise, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah,” stated Parthiv in a discussion with Star Sports.
The former Gujarat captain said Jurel deserves his chance in the playing XI as he has delivered the goods in the recent past.
“There will be only one question for India, and that will be at No. 6, whether you want to play Nitish Reddy or Dhruv Jurel. It will be an early start in Kolkata. Can Nitish Reddy play the role of the third seamer? Then you can use Nitish Reddy with two seamers and three spinners will come in the second innings,” Parthiv opined.
“Whether it was against West Indies or wherever and whichever position Jurel has gotten to bat in, he has scored runs. If your combination is that you want to play an all-rounder, then he might not get a place. However, if you want to play a pure batter, Jurel can play there, and this management has already shown that kind of confidence in him once. I feel Jurel has done enough to be considered as a batter in the Test team,” he concluded.
The opening Test match between India and South Africa will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 14 onwards.
