India face a selection dilemma ahead of their first Test against World Test Championship winners South Africa on November 14 (AFP photo) NEW DELHI: India face a selection dilemma ahead of their first Test against World Test Championship winners South Africa on November 14, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel vying for the wicket-keeping slot. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra suggested that both should find a place in the playing XI.Jurel strengthened his case with consistent performances, including a century against the West Indies and another ton for India A against South Africa A.
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“Both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are in the squad. Rishabh Pant will play. He is the vice-captain. He will play and he should play. But I feel Dhruv Jurel should also play,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.“A spot should be created for him in the XI. The question will be whether you compromise Sai Sudharsan from the top or Nitish Kumar Reddy from the lower order,” added Chopra.Recommending a possible combination, Chopra advised the team management – led by Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir – to keep Sai Sudharsan at No.3 and drop all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.“I think Sai Sudharsan should be allowed to play at No. 3. You don’t have Nitish Kumar Reddy to do his job properly yet. So you can actually sacrifice him and keep Dhruv Jurel there,” Chopra stated.Jurel’s recent form further strengthens his case – he scored 125 against the West Indies in the first Test in October and followed it up with an unbeaten 132 for India A against South Africa A.His potential inclusion as a specialist batsman gains weight due to Nitish Reddy’s limited bowling contribution in domestic conditions.
