India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate on Wednesday confirmed that Dhruv Jurel will feature in the playing XI alongside Rishabh Pant for the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Friday.
Jurel, who scored his maiden Test century during the 2-0 series win in the West Indies, has strengthened his case with impressive unbeaten knocks of 132 and 127 for India A in the recent four-day match against South Africa A in Bengaluru.
There had been some uncertainty over his selection following Pant’s return from a fractured right foot, but Jurel’s consistent run with the bat appears to have secured his spot. The duo last played together in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth.
“I don’t think you can leave him out for this Test — that’s the short answer. But we can only pick 11, so someone else will have to miss out,” ten Doeschate said. “Given the way Dhruv has performed over the past six months, especially with those two hundreds in Bengaluru, he’s certain to play this week.”
Speaking about India’s spin options, the former Netherlands all-rounder added, “With Washi, Axar, and Jadu, you essentially have three batters as well, which gives us a lot of flexibility. I’d be very surprised if Dhruv and Rishabh don’t play together.”
With Jurel set to retain his place, ten Doeschate suggested that seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy may miss out on the series opener against the defending World Test Championship holders.
“Strategy comes first. The priority is to set up a plan to win, and then, if possible, focus on player development,” he said. “Nitish didn’t get much time in Australia, but given the importance of this series and the conditions, he might miss out in this Test.”
