Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar snubbed Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar as he picked India's playing eleven for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. Highlighting the assistance for pacers at the venue, he wants a pace-heavy attack and suggests extending the batting lineup.
Nayar wants Dhruv Jurel in the side and Sai Sudharsan as well. He pointed at Jurel's recent success in red-ball cricket, including the twin centuries for India A in Rishabh Pant's leadership.
"I would want to if you have persisted with someone for so long. Dhruv Jurel has been fantastic, got a hundred against the West Indies, two back-to-back hundreds now playing for India A vs South Africa A, so terrific, but I want to position him in a place where he can succeed," the former India assistant coach said when asked about picking the playing eleven for Test series opener on Star Sports’ ‘Game Plan’ show.
"Ravindra Jadeja at No. 6. For me, No. 7 in these conditions, I would look for a Dhruv Jurel because he is in that sort of form. I would want him to be part of the setup. Unfortunately, everyone is going to be like damn, a Kuldeep may have to miss out in this setup for me," he added.
Kuldeep was the highest wicket-taker in the two-Test series against West Indies. He claimed 12 wickets at an average of 19.50.
Why Reddy over Sundar?
Despite criticism around Nitish Kumar Reddy's selection for the West Indies, Nayar wants the pace-bowling all-rounder in the lineup instead of Washington Sundar.
"In these conditions, considering how challenging it is going to be for the batters, I would want that extra surety with a batter and a seamer. So Nitish Reddy comes in and then you have my three seamers in that team. That's the kind of setup I would go for," he observed.
Nayar’s predicted India Playing XI for 1st Test -
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Reddy, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Nayar’s prediction for series -
Nayar was also asked to predict the result of the two-Test series. He feels India will win the series 1-0 with Eden Gardens Test in their favour and Guwahati Test ending a draw.
"I would go 1-0 to India, only because of the daylight problem. Shorter days, they are going to the northeast, and it's winter. I feel South Africa have a good team. I will give one a draw. Guwahati - draw, Eden Gardens - India will win," he said.