IND vs SA: Finally! Dhruv Jurel all set to play South Africa Tests as a specialist-batter, to replace this all-rounder in the XI

This comes after Dhruv Jurel oozed his class with the bat in the unofficial test series between India A and South Africa A. In the second game, the keeper-batter racked up twin centuries and both came at a time when the team was under pressure.

Dhruv Jurel will be replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian XI for the Test series against South Africa. He was the first-choice keeper in the Indian side in the series against the West Indies when Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the series due to injury.

Dhruv Jurel to replace Nitish Kumar Reddy in Indian XI for the South Africa Tests

In the first Test in Ahmedabad, he hit a blistering century. But with Rishabh Pant back in the Indian side, there was a common belief that Dhruv Jurel would make way for him. However, his performances for India A have changed the entire course.

The source close to the BCCI confirmed the same and stated: "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,” a source close to BCCI said.

Since the last few months, Dhruv Jurel has been in red-hot form. His scores since the start of the home season read are 140, 1 & 56, 125, 44 & 6, 132 & 127 not out.

The reports also added that head coach Gautam Gambhir is also keen to give him the longer rope in the XI. The two-match series between India and South Africa will begin on 14th November in Kolkata.