Dhruv Jurel’s red-hot form puts Gautam Gambhir in a selection dilemma: 'Likely to play as a specialist batter'

Dhruv Jurel’s recent run of form for India A has put him in strong contention for a place in India’s playing XI for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The young wicketkeeper-batter has been in outstanding touch, scoring back-to-back centuries in the red-ball series against South Africa A.

However, his consistency with the bat has reportedly forced the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir to rethink their combination ahead of the first Test in Kolkata next week. Even though Rishabh Pant is fit and set to return as vice-captain and wicketkeeper for the series, Jurel’s batting form has put the management in a selection dilemma.

The 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh was India’s first-choice keeper in recent Test matches against England and West Indies when Pant was recovering from a toe injury. However, with Pant now fit and ready to play, Jurel’s place in the team has once come under risk.

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Jurel has recorded scores of 140, 1 & 56, 125, 44 & 6, and 132 & 127 not out since the start of the home season, amassing three centuries and a fifty in his last eight first-class innings. Now, leaving him out of the playing XI would be unfair looking at his extraordinary numbers.

Jurel is likely to play the first Test

According to a PTI report, Jurel could play as a specialist batter, with the team management looking to bring him in for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. The report adds that Sai Sudharsan’s No. 3 spot was also being considered for Jurel, but the team management wants a settled player in that position and doesn’t want to make too many changes there.

“Jurel is likely to play as a specialist batter. Ideally, there are two slots where he could be fitted in. One was Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, but he has a half-century in his last Test and the team management wants a settled No. 3. The other place is Nitish Kumar Reddy, and he can’t be played ahead of Jurel considering that his bowling won’t be required much in these Indian conditions,” a BCCI source told PTI.

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The report also added that Devdutt Padikkal, who has scored 355 runs at an average of 50.71 this season, could be tried out in the second Test in Guwahati, meaning Reddy might sit out both matches.

Reddy’s place in the side has already been a topic of debate, with critics questioning his role in home conditions. However, Gambhir defended Reddy during the previous Test series against West Indies, saying that it would be unfair to use him only in tough overseas conditions.