 "Dhruv Jurel or Nitish Reddy? Ex-India stars divided ahead of South Africa series: 'He has done enough to play as a batter'")
India face a tough selection call ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata - whether to pick in-form batter Dhruv Jurel or continue with young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Both players have impressed in recent months, but with Rishabh Pant returning as wicketkeeper, there is likely to be only one spot available for either of them.
Jurel, who scored back-to-back centuries for India A against South Africa A, has been in fine touch this season. He also did well after taking Pant’s place in England and against the West Indies earlier this year. However, with Pant now fit and back in the team, India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill will have to take a call.
Pathiv Patel backs Jurel to play as a specialist batter
Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel believes the only debatable spot in the playing XI at the moment is the No. 6 place and said that the team has to decide between Jurel and Reddy. He explained that since the Test in Kolkata will be played under early morning conditions, Reddy’s seam-bowling ability might help India balance their attack.
“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. So 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,” the former India wicketkeeper-batter said on Star Sports.
However, the former keeper also backed Jurel’s inclusion if India choose to play with a specialist batter instead of an all-rounder. “Whether it was against the West Indies or wherever and whichever position Jurel has gotten to bat in, he has scored runs. The only thing is the combination you want to play with. If your combination is that you want to play an all-rounder, then he might not get a place,” he said.
“However, if you want to play a pure batter, Dhruv Jurel can play there, and this management has already shown that kind of confidence in Dhruv Jurel once. He played as a batter in Perth. Although India won that Test match, he didn’t get a chance after that. I feel Dhruv Jurel has done enough to be considered as a batter in the Test team,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSuresh Raina feels India should focus more on bowling
On the other hand, Suresh Raina feels India should focus more on getting their bowling combination right for the Eden Gardens pitch. He said that with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar both in good form, it might be difficult for Jurel to find a place in the side.
“Dhruv Jurel can play as he has scored two centuries. But Jadeja and Washington are both doing well, and Axar Patel is also in the squad. The management might go with three pacers - Siraj, Bumrah, and Akash Deep - at Eden Gardens. Three spinners can also play. Since Jadeja and Washi can both bat, it becomes difficult for Dhruv Jurel to slot in,” Raina said on Star Sports.
Raina also insisted on playing Kuldeep Yadav in the first Test because his mystery spin could be effective against South Africa’s right-hand heavy middle order. “It’s crucial for Kuldeep to play at Eden Gardens because of his mystery spin. Considering South Africa have a lot of right-handers in their middle order, playing Kuldeep will be very important,” he added.
After #DhruvJurel’s stellar India A performances, will he break into India’s Test squad alongside #RishabhPant? 👀🇮🇳#SureshRaina and #JatinSapru share their thoughts. 🏏#INDvSA, 1st Test starts 14th November, 8:30 AM on Star Sports & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/QGipN3lyos
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 8, 2025
The decision between Jurel and Reddy could ultimately come down to conditions in Kolkata and what balance Gambhir and Gill prefer. It will be interesting to see what combination they opt for in the first Test, which starts of November 14.
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