With just three days to go before the third Test between India and England kicks off in Rajkot, the position of wicket-keeper batter KS Bharat is in jeopardy. As per a report, the team management is looking to give Dhruv Jurel a chance behind the stumps. The team management, bosses in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors are said to be displeased by Bharat’s underwhelming show with the bat while his keeping skills haven’t been the best either. Hence, a change seems to be on the horizon.
Jurel has done well for India A and in IPL. His performances in the domestic spectrum saw the selection committee reward him with an India call-up. Now, he looks set to make his Test debut.
“Bharat’s batting has been well below-par, while his ‘keeping hasn’t been great either. He isn’t making use of his chances. Jurel, on the other hand, is talented, has a good attitude, and has a bright future. He has done well for Uttar Pradesh, India A, and the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Don’t be surprised if Jurel makes his Test debut at Rajkot,” the Times of India quoted a source as saying.
There were talks around the workload of Jasprit Bumrah too. While the player is set to feature in the Rajkot Test, he could be rested for the 4th match in Ranchi.
“He could be rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi, which means that he will be fresh and firing for the fifth and final Test in Dharamshala in early March, which could well be the decider of this closely contested series. That’s the point where Bumrah’s presence will make a difference,” the source said.
There have been a few curious selection calls in the Indian team. One such call was the selection of Akash Deep Singh while Avesh Khan was released for the Ranji Trophy.
“The idea is to give him game time, which is why he has been asked to go and play for Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. He hasn’t played in February so far. Akash Deep (his replacement) was picked because he did well for India A,” the report quoted the source. “In any case, the two pacers for India at Rajkot will be Bumrah and Siraj,” he said.
