Will Dhruv Jurel play as specialist batter in SA Tests?
What's the story
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is likely to be picked as a specialist middle-order batter for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, as per PTI. This decision comes amid Rishabh Pant's return from an ankle injury. Jurel has been in phenomenal form lately, scoring three centuries (including a Test hundred), one half-century, and one 40-plus score in his last eight First-Class innings.
Performance review
Jurel likely to play as a specialist batter
Jurel's scores since the start of the home season are 140, 1 & 56, 125, 44 & 6, 132 & 127 not out. A BCCI source told PTI that "Jurel is likely to play as a specialist batter." The source also said there are two slots where he could fit 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.
Selection dilemma
Other options discussed for the middle order
The other slot is that of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who can't be played ahead of Jurel given his bowling won't be needed much in these Indian conditions. There were serious discussions about including Devdutt Padikkal after Reddy bowled just four overs in Ahmedabad and that too during the first innings.
Strategic positioning
Will India field two specialist keepers?
Despite the selection challenges, Jurel is likely to be given a longer run in the middle order. This is because India will field three spinners and two pacers. The inclusion of two specialist keepers in a Test playing XI isn't common but there have been instances like Kiran More and Chandrakant Pandit playing together as specialists batters for a couple of Tests back in 1986.
DYK
Twin tons in unofficial Test
Jurel scored twin centuries for India A in the ongoing second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru. The batter, who made an unbeaten 132* in the first innings, touched the three-figure landmark on Day 3 as well. Jurel walked back unbeaten on 127 off 170 balls in his second outing. With his 113th run in the first innings, Jurel had surpassed 2,000 First-Class runs. He has now raced to 2,146 runs at a solid average of 51-plus.