Follow UsDhruv Jurel is probably in the form of his life, batting-wise, scoring back-to-back centuries in the two innings of an unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru, a few days ago.
It is because of this form that former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that Jurel should be included in India’s playing 11 for the first Test against South Africa, starting November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
“He’s playing well, isn’t he?” Ganguly asked, as quoted by the Indian Express.
“Rishabh is back, and I don’t know what the selectors are thinking. Basically, the spots are taken — two openers, (Shubman) Gill at 4, Pant at 5, KL (Rahul), (Ravindra) Jadeja are there. Players have performed,” added the former captain.
Pointing out the only place where there is space for Jurel, Ganguly states, “How easy will it be to open up a slot for Dhruv Jurel at this stage, I wouldn’t know… But it depends on whom they want to send at No. 3 — whether they want to go with Sai Sudharsan, or bring in our in-form Dhruv in. We’ll find out.”
Jurel, who played the last Test on India’s tour of England in August and could not do much with the bat, got back into form as soon as the Indian team landed home.
Since then, he has hit four centuries in five First-Class matches, including one in a Test against the visiting West Indies side. On the other hand, Sai Sudharsan, current number three for India, has not been able to hit a century in his last eight innings.