IND vs SA 2025: 'How easy will it be to open up a slot for Dhruv Jurel at this stage?' - Former India captain wants in-form player in XI

Sourav Ganguly feels that there could be a toss-up between Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel for the No. 3 spot in India's batting line-up in the two-match Test series against South Africa. The first Test is set to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14 to November 18.

Jurel has been in scintillating form of late in red-ball cricket. He slammed centuries in both innings of the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A in Bengaluru last week. The wicketkeeper-batter registered scores of 132* and 127*.

While Rishabh Pant has returned from injury and is set to don the wicketkeeping gloves against South Africa, Jurel's magnificent form could force the team management to find a spot for him in the playing XI in the role of a specialist batter.

“He’s playing well, isn’t he? 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. 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,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by India Today.

They [South Africa] will have to play really well to compete with India: Ganguly

Ganguly praised the Indian team for their performance against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year. The former India captain and the current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal said that South Africa will have to play really good cricket to give India a run for their money.

“Because India’s spin attack is very good. And this young team went to England three months ago and played exceptionally well. It was a fantastic series to watch — exceptional performances by Gill, Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Rahul, Pant. They’ve been exceptional. Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, Jadeja India are a bundle of talent.

“South Africa, I know they’ve played well in Pakistan. But India in India are a different kettle of fish. They’ll have to play really, really well to compete with India,” Ganguly said.