IND vs SA Test: Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel & Nitish Kumar Reddy fight for 1 spot

With the Australia tour over amid IPL and T20 World Cup fever, the focus shifts to Test cricket momentarily. This is India’s last Test assignment of the year, and there will be a gap of at least eight months till the next one. India are up against World Test Championship winner South Africa. The Proteas won a Test series in India back in 2000, and since then, both teams have only dominated at home. However, with what happened against New Zealand at home, India cannot take them lightly. Hence, coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill would want to field the strongest XI in the IND vs SA Test series. While the team is set, there is one spot that will have three competitors. In-form Dhruv Jurel is the extra batter while Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy will offer the all-round skillsets. Who will India go for?

With Rishabh Pant set to return after a four-month gap, the left-hander will take up from Jurel, who played the role of a backup excellently. In Pant’s absence, Jurel scored a century against the West Indies and also played a crucial knock in India’s win in the 5th Test against the West Indies. However, as has been the norm, he will have to vacate the spot for his senior. But does he?

1 spot, 3 takers in Kolkata Test

Team India have picked players based on conditions. The horses-for-courses approach has worked well. But the Eden Gardens will be an unknown territory for the time being. India will return to Kolkata for a Test match after a long six-year gap. That match was a Pink-ball Test, and pacers dominated proceedings. Since then, India have played three ODIs and five T20Is, maintaining an unbeaten run. But conditions have varied. In the last T20I earlier this year, England struggled against pace and spin both. Indian batters made merry on that surface. With dew going to be a big factor in Kolkata, the pitch won’t be as dry as one would hope in November. The moisture would aid seamers.

Nitish Kumar Reddy

That could prompt Gambhir-Gill to go with an additional seamer in Nitish Kumar Reddy, who could also bat. Reddy is coming back from an injury and although he hasn’t been in great form of late, he can give India the depth in bowling.

Reddy played a good knock of 43 against the West Indies in Delhi. But he did not bowl a single over. That strange tactic from Shubman Gill has been criticised a lot of late. In fact, since his return from injury following the Australia tour in 2024, Reddy has bowled sporadically, averaging less than 10 overs per innings. Against the West Indies, he bowled just four overs. In Engalnd, he bowled 28 overs across three innings.

Series	Mat	Inns	Overs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	SR
Australia vs India	5	9	44	5	2/32	38	52.8
England vs India	2	3	28	3	2/62	37	56
India vs West Indies	2	1	4	0	–	–	–

Axar Patel

With Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and probably Washington Sundar, India won’t need a fourth spinner unless the conditions are raging turners. IND vs SA Kolkata Test is unlikely to offer a raging turner. Hence, if Axar Patel gets into the India Playing XI, he will replace Sundar since Jadeja is the first-choice all-rounder.

Axar last played a Test match back in February of 2024 against England at home. He only played a part-time role. He has largely been seen as a white-ball all-rounder in Gambhir’s tenure. With Sundar in good form, he is likely to play the second spin all-rounder’s role.

Dhruv Jurel

That would elevate Dhruv Jurel’s chances to keep his spot in the India Playing XI for the Kolkata Test. Jurel has had a great last few months. With Pant sidelined due to a foot injury, Jurel rose to the occasion, scoring a century against West Indies after forming two crucial stands with Karun Nair and Ravindra Jadeja in the fifth Test against England.

Since then, he has also played for India A, scoring a century and a fifty against Australia A. In his recent outing against South Africa A, Jurel scored a twin ton in the 2nd match, outshining Risabh Pant. As he is in form, it would be an injustice if he doesn’t retain his spot, at least as a No 6. With his scoring form, he has proven that he is not just a backup anymore.

“Both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are there in the squad. Pant is vice captain. He will and should play. But I feel Jurel should also play. A place should be created for him in the XI. The question will be whether you will compromise Sai Sudharsan from the top or Nitish Kumar Reddy from lower in the order,” former India opener Aakash Chopra said.