After the conclusion of the white-ball series against Australia, the Indian cricket team will shift their focus on the home series against South Africa. Notably, Team India is scheduled to host South Africa for
a multi-format series comprising of two Tests, three ODIs and as many as five T20I. The series will begin with the first Test from November 14 in Kolkata and conclude with the final T20I set to be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
But ahead of the series, the Indian side were handed a massive setback in injury to star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Notably, Pant returned to competitive cricket in India A series against South Africa A, after recovering from a fractured foot, which he sustained in the fourth Test against England in Manchester. But on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test, he was retired hurt after multiple body blows.
Dhruv Jurel to play as pure batter; Nitish Reddy to be dropped: Report
While the Indian team sweats on his fitness, a recent report has revealed that Dhruv Jurel will get a game as a pure batter, seeing his brilliant run of form off late. This comes after Pant returned to action, which leave Jurel to play as a specialist batter. This comes after Dhruv Jurel was seen keeping wickets in last three Test matches and has registered three centuries, one half-century and one 40-plus score in last eight First-Class innings.
Moreover, a BCCI source privy to the selection developments told PTI, "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.” "The other place is Nitish Kumar Reddy and he can't be played ahead of Jurel, considering that his bowling won't be required much in these Indian conditions," he added.
India’s Test squad for South Africa series:
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
