India assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that Dhruv Jurel will be part of the playing XI for the 1st Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss out. Instead, he has been added to the India A squad.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the 1st Test, Ryan ten Doeschate mentioned that Dhruv Jurel is certain to play this week and hinted that both Dhruv and Rishabh Pant could feature together in the playing XI.
“I don’t think you can leave him out of this Test. Someone will have to miss out. That’s a simple answer. He is certain to play this week. I’ll be surprised if we don’t see Dhruv and Rishabh play together,” Ryan Ten Doeschate said.
Ryan ten Doeschate also spoke on the absence of Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“Our position hasn’t changed on Nitish. He didn’t get a chance in Australia. But looking at the challenge here, I think he’ll miss out from the XI this week,” he added.
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With Rishabh Pant sidelined due to injury during the West Indies series, Dhruv Jurel got his chance in the playing XI and made the most of it by scoring a century. He continued his fine form by hitting centuries in both innings against South Africa A. His consistent performances have now tempted the Indian team management to include him alongside vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who is returning to the squad for the first Test against South Africa. Here’s how India’s likely playing XI could look for the First Test at Eden Gardens:
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are expected to open the innings once again. Sai Sudharsan, who hasn’t quite found his rhythm at No.3 yet, might still get another opportunity. Skipper Shubman Gill will come in at No. 4, followed by Rishabh Pant at No.5 and Dhruv Jurel at No.6.
In the lower order, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar could feature as the two spin all-rounders, while Kuldeep Yadav might join them as the third spinner. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to lead the pace attack.
As per the BCCI, Reddy will return for the second Test after concluding the A series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
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