New Delhi: Star India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin strongly urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill to utilise on Dhruv Jurel’s impressive form, after he smashed two back-to-back centuries in the second unofficial Test for India A against South Africa A. Jurel remained unbeaten on 132 and 127, making a compelling case for his inclusion as a key batter in the playing XI.
Dhruv Jurel featured in the Test series against the West Indies, as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant. With Pant now fit again, Jurel cannot play as team’s wicketkeeper, leaving him to compete for a spot as a batter against the likes of Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Ashwin believes that the team management may not need Nitish Kumar Reddy
However, Ashwin believes that the team management may not need Nitish Kumar Reddy’s bowling in the South Africa Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati, which could allow Jurel to secure a spot lower down the order. It’s also worth noting that Jurel had scored a century against the West Indies in the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
“There can be no debate around Sai Sudharsan. Dhruv Jurel should walk into the side, lower down the order. You don’t need Nitish Kumar Reddy because you have two pacers and three spinners. Dhruv Jurel has to play. Someone who is in good form, please utilise that. He is in good form and has been performing well,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
“When England came here for a series in 2024, Jurel played a brilliant knock in Ranchi. He is in the form of his life; he smashed twin hundreds against South Africa A. The first one came when the team was in trouble, so I think the management has a decision to make,” he added.
Ashwin mentioned that Axar Patel may not be required for the series
Ashwin who is India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all three formats, also mentioned that Axar Patel may not be required for the series, as Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar are likely to be the primary spin options.
“It all depends on the conditions. Both Tests will be played in the East. The ball will turn there, so you have to decide how many spinners you want to go in with. Ravindra Jadeja is locked as the left-arm spinner; Kuldeep must play. Washington Sundar will also play. If these three spinners play, then there is no chance of Axar playing; he can only come in if Jadeja is not in the team,” said Ashwin.
“You shouldn’t make the mistake of inserting Axar because he is in good touch. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will play as the seamers at the Eden Gardens, so five bowlers are done,” he added.
The two-match Test series between India and South Africa is scheduled to commence on Friday, November 14, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.