The Indian cricket team faces a selection conundrum ahead of the first Test against South Africa, which begins on November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. With the return of Rishabh Pant from injury, the team management is in a dilemma on whether to include both Pant and the in-form Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI.
Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel believes that 10 players are virtually certain to be in the playing XI. He highlighted that the only question the team management needs to answer is regarding the No. 6 position: whether to play Nitish Kumar Reddy or Dhruv Jurel.
Jurel has made a strong case for his inclusion with back-to-back centuries for India A in the unofficial Tests against South Africa A. In the second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru, Jurel scored an unbeaten 132 off 175 balls in the first innings, followed by another century in the second innings, scoring 127 not out off 170 balls. His consistent performances have impressed many, including former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who believes that Jurel should be included in the playing XI. Ashwin praised Jurel's exceptional form, stating that he is making it very hard for the coach and captain to drop him.
Jurel has already scored 430 runs in seven Tests, including a century and a half-century. In the Test series against the West Indies earlier this year, the 24-year-old amassed 125, 44, and an unbeaten 6.
However, the return of Rishabh Pant adds another dimension to the selection dilemma. Pant has been named as the vice-captain of the team and is returning to Test cricket after recovering from a foot injury. He suffered the injury during the England tour and was out of action until recently when he returned to the field for the India A vs South Africa A series. Pant impressed in the first India A vs South Africa A match, leading the team to a win.
According to some reports, India might use a rare tactic and include both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI for the first Test in Kolkata.
The likely top order for India includes Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opening, followed by Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 and Shubman Gill at No. 4. Rishabh Pant is likely to play at No. 5. The No. 6 position is the "slightly tricky" one, as per Parthiv Patel, with the choice between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to be the other members of the playing XI.
The two-match Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. The second Test will be played in Guwahati from November 22 to 26.
