Former India captain and present Cricket Affiliation of Bengal (CAB) President, Sourav Ganguly, has positioned the highlight squarely on the competition for the No. 3 batting place within the Indian Check crew forward of the two-match collection towards South Africa, which commences on November 14 in Kolkata. The controversy is fueled by the return of Rishabh Pant and the scintillating type of Dhruv Jurel, who historically operates as a wicketkeeper-batter.
IND vs SA: Sourav Ganguly makes his name on Dhruv Jurel and Sai Sudharsan for No. 3 batting position
Ganguly publicly backed the case for the in-form Jurel, placing strain on the incumbent Sai Sudharsan. Ganguly acknowledged the problem of breaking apart India’s settled batting order, however advised that Jurel’s latest weight of runs warrants his inclusion as a specialist batter, doubtlessly on the No. 3 place, which has been unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara‘s retirement.
“He’s taking part in effectively, isn’t he? Rishabh is again and I don’t know what the selectors are considering. Principally, the spots are taken – two openers, (Shubman) Gill at 4, Pant at 5, KL (Rahul), (Ravindra) Jadeja are there. Gamers have carried out. How straightforward will it’s to open up a slot for Dhruv Jurel at this stage, I wouldn’t know. But it surely is dependent upon whom they wish to ship at No. 3 – whether or not they wish to go along with Sai Sudharsan, or herald our in-form Dhruv in. We’ll discover out.” Ganguly was quoted as saying by the RevSportz.
The instant focus of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle shifts to India, the place Shubman Gill’s crew is ready to host South Africa in a vital two-match Check collection. This contest, generally known as the Freedom Trophy, will start on Friday, November 14, 2025, on the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and run till November 18.
This primary Check guarantees a high-voltage conflict as India, presently third on the WTC desk, makes an attempt to leverage its formidable dwelling file towards the reigning World Check Championship title holders, South Africa, who’re positioned fourth. The motion then strikes to the Northeast for the second and last Check, which will likely be performed on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, beginning on Saturday, November 22, 2025, and concluding on November 26.
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Dhruv Jurel’s red-hot type places strain on Sai Sudharsan
Jurel has been in scintillating type of late, notably slamming centuries in each innings of the second unofficial Check between India A and South Africa A in Bengaluru final week, the place he registered scores of 132 and 127. This exceptional consistency builds on his earlier success, as he had impressed earlier this yr throughout the Check collection towards the West Indies, scoring 175 runs in three innings, together with 100, at a median of 87.50. This unbelievable run, which incorporates 4 centuries in his final 5 red-ball appearances, is forcing the crew administration to contemplate him for a specialist batter position, no matter Pant’s return.
Conversely, the strain on Sudharsan, who has been auditioning for the essential No. 3 slot, has intensified because of his struggles within the latest India A video games. Whereas Sudharsan has received the backing of captain, head coach and crew administration and scored his Check career-highest rating of 87 towards the West Indies, his type has dipped in the newest outings. He didn’t cross the fifty-run mark towards South Africa A, managing solely 84 runs from 4 innings throughout the 2 unofficial Exams. His battle to transform begins in these important “A” matches, which included low scores of 17 and 23 within the second Check, has made his spot on the prime of the batting order extremely susceptible to the in-form Jurel forward of the decisive collection towards South Africa.
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