Ex-Indian wicketkeeper feels Dhruv Jurel is the perfect choice for No.3 in Tests

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has asserted that the in-form batter Dhruv Jurel could be a good choice to take up the No.3 slot in the longest format of the game in the two-match Test series against South Africa, starting on Friday, November 14, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Speaking exclusively to The Times of India, Deep Dasgupta asserted that Jurel has the best technique to take up the No.3 slot. It’s important to note that since Pujara’s exit from the national team, India is yet to get a proper No.3 batter. 

Furthermore, Deep Dasgupta also felt that it would be a bit of concern for Jurel to keep wickets and bat at No.3 in the red-ball format in the long run. Also, he suggested Jurel could take up the No.7 slot in Nitish Kumar Reddy’s position.

“At this moment, Jurel looks to have the best technique to bat at No. 3. But the team management has to be clear with its vision because No. 3 will be a big call. If Jurel is only seen as a wicketkeeping backup for Pant, then it will be a problem in the long run. It’s tough for a wicketkeeper to consistently keep wickets and bat at No. 3 in Tests. Or else, he can come in for Reddy at No. 7, even though it’s very low for a proper batter to come in,” Deep Dasgupta told Times of India.

In the recently concluded second unofficial Test against South Africa A, Jurel scored twin centuries. In the first innings, he scored an unbeaten 132, and he went on to hit an unbeaten 127-run knock in the second innings.

It’s worth noting that India tested Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, and Sai Sudharsan for the No.3 slot. However, Padikkal and Nair failed to create an impact. Most recently in the West Indies Test series, India tried out Sudharsan at the challenging batting slot. 

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