Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta feels that Dhruv Jurel is good enough to play at the No.3 spot in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa that will commence from November 14. This comes after the 24-year-old scored twin tons for India A in the second four-day match against South Africa A at BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. While the likes of Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Devdutt Padikkal failed miserably, Jurel left everyone impressed with his knocks of 132* and 127* in the first and second innings respectively.
Dasgupta also wants Jurel to not be seen just as a wicketkeeper replacement for Rishabh Pant and wants him to be given chances in the playing XI even if the latter's present. He further stated that another position where Jurel canm be effective is No.7 even though it is quite low for a proper batter.
“At this moment, Jurel looks to have the best technique to bat at No. 3. But the team management has to be clear with its vision because No. 3 will be a big call. If Jurel is only seen as a wicketkeeping backup for Pant, then it will be a problem in the long run. It’s tough for a wicketkeeper to consistently keep wickets and bat at No. 3 in Tests. Or else, he can come in for Reddy at No. 7, even though it’s very low for a proper batter to come in,” Dasgupta told The Times of India.
Jurel in sublime form in red-ball cricket
Jurel has been in top form when it comes to red-ball cricket. The 24-year-old had made the most out of the opportunity given to him in the Test series against West Indies and had scored his maiden hundred in the format for the Men in Blue in the first of two matches.
Jurel picked for SA Tests
He has been picked in India's squad for the Test series against South Africa alongside a returning Rishabh Pant. It is expected that the former may get a chance in the XI as a proper batter and this may see him be elevated up the batting order. It remains to be seen if Jurel will be able to continue his superb form in the longest format when he comes up against the Proteas.
India's squad for South Africa Tests: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.