India are set to deploy an unusual strategy for the first Test against South Africa—fielding two wicketkeepers in the playing eleven. Reports indicate both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel will feature, with Pant behind the stumps and Jurel playing purely as a specialist batter.​

The Selection Dilemma

Rishabh Pant returns as vice-captain after recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the T20 series against Australia. He’ll deservedly reclaim both the gloves and his batting position. But Dhruv Jurel’s red-hot form has made him impossible to ignore.​

Since the start of the home season, Jurel’s scores read: 140, 1 & 56, 125, 44 & 6, 132 & 127 not out. With three centuries including his maiden Test hundred against West Indies, one fifty, and one 40-plus score in his last eight first-class knocks, leaving him out would be harsh.​

Who Makes Way?

A BCCI source told PTI that Jurel is likely to play as a specialist batter, with two possible slots identified. “One was Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 but he has a half-century in his last Test and the team management wants a settled No. 3,” the source said.​

The other option is Nitish Kumar Reddy at number seven. “He can’t be played ahead of Jurel considering that his bowling won’t be required much in these Indian conditions,” the source added.​

Reddy received just four overs in Ahmedabad during the West Indies series and none in Delhi despite being promoted up the order for batting time. With India planning to field three spinners and two pacers, his all-round contributions aren’t essential on home pitches.​

Rare Move in Test Cricket

Playing two specialist wicketkeepers in a Test XI is unusual for India. While MS Dhoni paired with Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel, and Rishabh Pant in white-ball cricket at different times, Test cricket instances are rare.​

The last time India tried this was back in 1986 when Kiran More and Chandrakant Pandit played together in a couple of Tests—one in England and one in India—with Pandit featuring as a specialist batter.​

Expert Opinion Divided

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes both should play. “Rishabh Pant will play. He is the vice-captain. He is a generational talent if you talk about Test cricket, but I feel Dhruv Jurel should also be played. A place should be created for him in the XI,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.​

He suggested sacrificing Nitish Reddy. “You haven’t got Nitish Kumar Reddy to do his job properly thus far. So you can actually sacrifice him and keep Dhruv Jurel there”.​

However, former wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta offered a different perspective, suggesting number three would be Jurel’s best position. “At this moment, Jurel looks to have the best technique to bat at No. 3,” Dasgupta told The Times of India.​

“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,” he added.​

Jurel’s Stellar 2025

Jurel has enjoyed a phenomenal year in first-class cricket. In 14 innings during 2025, he’s scored 911 runs at an average of 91.10, with four centuries and four fifties. In seven Tests for India, he’s amassed 430 runs at 47.77.​

His twin unbeaten centuries (132 and 127) against South Africa A last week made him only the second Indian after Naman Ojha to score hundreds in both innings of an A-Test match. He averages 58.00 across 30 first-class matches with five centuries overall.​

Gambhir’s Batting Depth Strategy

Head coach Gautam Gambhir favors batting depth till number eight. Including Jurel aligns with this philosophy, giving India seven genuine batters along with three spinners and two pacers.​

The likely batting order would see Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opening, followed by Sai Sudharsan at three, captain Shubman Gill at four, and possibly Jurel at five or six. Pant would slot in around six or seven depending on where Jurel bats, with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav forming the spin trio.

The Risk Factor

While Jurel’s form justifies selection, playing two keepers means leaving out a specialist batsman or all-rounder. If Nitish Reddy is dropped and India need a fifth bowler, the workload falls entirely on the three spinners and two pacers—Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

On helpful Indian pitches this might work, but if the surface doesn’t assist spin or if the pacers need support, India could be short of bowling options.

Looking Ahead

The first Test starts Friday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, followed by the second in Guwahati from November 22. South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship winners, pose a serious challenge despite their poor record in India.​

For Jurel, playing as a specialist batter validates his rise beyond just being Pant’s backup. For India, it’s a vote of confidence in a young talent while maximizing batting depth against quality opposition.

Whether this rare tactical move pays off will become clear once the series begins. But one thing is certain—Dhruv Jurel has forced his way into the conversation through sheer weight of runs.