Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is all set to reclaim his wicketkeeping duties and batting position for India in the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, starting in Kolkata next week. However, Dhruv Jurel’s outstanding run with the bat has ensured that his name remains indispensable in the squad — this time, purely as a specialist batter.
Jurel, who had donned the gloves in India’s last three Tests — at The Oval (London), Ahmedabad, and Delhi — filled in for Pant while the vice-captain was recovering from an ankle fracture. With Pant fit and ready to return, the Indian team management and the national selection committee are fine-tuning their playing XI to accommodate both talents.
Jurel’s Exceptional Form Keeps Him in Contention
Since the start of the home season, Jurel has been in red-hot form, scoring consistently across formats. His recent run reads: 140, 1 & 56, 125, 44 & 6, 132 & 127 — including three centuries, one half-century, and a 40-plus score in his last eight first-class innings*.
“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,”
a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
“The other place is Nitish Kumar Reddy, but he can’t be played ahead of Jurel considering his bowling won’t be required much in Indian conditions,”
the source added.
Selection Dilemma: Jurel vs Padikkal vs Reddy
According to reports, there were serious deliberations about bringing in Devdutt Padikkal for the Delhi Test after Reddy bowled just four overs in the Ahmedabad match — all in the first innings. Although Reddy was promoted up the order in Delhi to get more batting time, he didn’t contribute much with the ball, raising questions about his utility in the lineup.
Gambhir’s Influence and Team Combination
Team mentor Gautam Gambhir is reportedly keen on strengthening the batting lineup till No. 8, a strategy also supported by head coach Rahul Dravid. The combination is expected to feature three spinners and two pace bowlers, giving Jurel a significant role in the middle order as a stabilizing batter.
Historically, India has rarely fielded two specialist wicketkeepers in a Test playing XI. Notable exceptions have been in white-ball cricket — combinations such as MS Dhoni with Dinesh Karthik, Dhoni with Parthiv Patel, and Dhoni with Rishabh Pant have worked successfully. However, replicating that balance in Tests will be a fresh experiment.
Pant’s Return a Major Boost
Pant’s comeback adds both batting depth and leadership stability to the Indian lineup. His aggressive middle-order batting, coupled with sharp glovework, will be crucial against a pace-heavy South African attack.
With both Pant and Jurel in form, India’s middle order looks solid heading into the high-stakes series that will also influence World Test Championship (WTC) standings.