IND vs SA: Both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant to play in Kolkata test, hints India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate
(Courtesy : BCCI)
Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are two wicket-keeper batters in India squad for the test series against South Africa.
Indian Cricket Team and South Africa Cricket Team are pulling their socks up for first of the two-match test series, which will start on November 14 (Friday) at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. Ahead of the match, India’s assistant coach Ryan Doeschate has hinted that both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel might be part of the playing XI in the Kolkata test.
India’s vice-captain Pant has returned for the test series against South Africa after missing last home test series against the West Indies due to a foot injury, which he suffered on the England test tour. In his absence, Jurel was picked as the wicket-keeper batter in the playing XI in both games.
The right-handed batter also impressed with a century in the first test at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Recently, Jurel hammered twin centuries for India A in the second unofficial test against South Africa A, making a strong point for himself to be part of the playing XI against South Africa.
Dhruv Jurel is certain to play in first test against South Africa: India’s batting coach Ryan Doeschate
Speaking ahead of the Kolkata test, India’s assistant coach Doeschate said that Jurel is certain to play in the first test against South Africa. He also added that Nitish Kumar Reddy might not be part of the playing XI.
“I think we have got a pretty good idea of the combination. Given the way Dhruv has gone in the last six months, scoring two hundreds (against South Africa A) in Bengaluru last week. He is certain to play this week,” he said.
“The primary thing is to set out a strategy to win the game. Our position certainly hasn’t changed on Nitish. He didn’t get much game time in Australia. But I would say, given the importance of this series and given the conditions we think we are going to face, he (Nitish Kumar Reddy) might miss out in this Test this week,” he added.
Jurel might be played as a pure batter in the first test against South Africa, while Pant will take the wicket-keeping gloves. Recently, former Indian cricketers Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Ashwin backed Jurel’s inclusion as a pure batter in the test series against South Africa following his heroics for India A.
When will the first IND vs SA test start?
The first IND vs SA test will start on November 14 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
How many tests will be played between India and South Africa?
Two test matches will be played between India and South Africa.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.