The testing phase in Test is over for India Cricket Team, at least the wicket-keeper’s slot. A fit-again Rishabh Pant is all set to return for IND vs BAN Test series following an 18-month absence. While India did try multiple options during Pant’s absence, only Dhruv Jurel managed to catch the attention after Ishan Kishan took a “break from cricket”. But what happens to Jurel now in India vs Bangladesh series?
As things stand, he will only serve as the backup wicketkeeper with Rishabh Pant returning to his No 6 slot. And Pant’s return is important ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy which he single-handedly won India in 2021. However, both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant will play Duleep Trophy.
“It’s up to the selectors if they want to continue with Dhruv or recall Rishabh. It will of course depend on the Duleep Trophy. Rishabh hasn’t played red-ball cricket since his accident. And Dhruv has performed really well,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
No replacement for Rishabh Pant
While Dhruv Jurel caught everyone’s attention, BCCI Selection Committee and the Rahul Dravid-led team management tried different options. KS Bharat was considered the natural successor but his lack of response from the willow did not help his cause. KL Rahul did keep wickets well in South Africa. However, considering he is injury-prone, selectors did not trust his glovesmanship in Indian conditions. Ishan Kishan shot in his own foot, asking for a break during IND vs ENG Test series.
| Keeper | Mat | Ct | St | Runs | Avg | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS Bharat | 7 | 18 | 0 | 221 | 20.09 | 0 |
| KL Rahul | 2 | 8 | 0 | 259 | 32.37 | 1/1 |
| Ishan Kishan | 2 | 5 | 0 | 78 | 78 | 1/0 |
| Dhruv Jurel | 3 | 5 | 2 | 190 | 63.33 | 1/0 |
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Rishabh Pant certain for IND vs BAN Test
Even though the BCCI official claimed that Duleep Trophy performance could determine who will keep wickets in IND vs BAN Test series, Rishabh Pant is the overwhelming favourite. Test cricket missed Rishabh Pant. By the time India travel to Australia, Rishabh must be ready to keep wickets and play long innings in Test.
Rishabh has struggled a bit keeping wickets for long sessions. Furthermore, he hasn’t been as effortless as he used to be hitting the deliveries on the off-side since his injury. Pant had to undergo major surgery to reconstruct three of his ligaments in the right knee. Hence, he is still recovering from that.
India vs Bangladesh and India vs New Zealand series will help him get to that Test cricket fitness he needs before the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Rishabh Pant, for the moment, seems fit to play Test cricket. He did well in the T20 World Cup. But he needs to be tested in red-ball cricket again.
“It’s difficult to keep wickets for 90 overs or more in a day in that position. NCA physios are confident that he would not face any discomfort. We will know where his Test fitness stands when he plays Duleep Trophy. It’s important for him and India that he returns to Test cricket,” the BCCI official added.
What happens to Dhruv Jurel?
The 23-year-old will have to play the backup role for now if Rishabh returns to the India squad for the Bangladesh series. He scored 190 runs in three innings including a half-century against England. He was also decent behind the stumps, handling Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin well.
However, Rishabh Pant’s return to Test means, he will be only a backup keeper during IND vs BAN, IND vs NZ and IND vs AUS Tests. Even an average Duleep Trophy for Rishabh will be enough for him to get back to India Test Playing XI vs Bangladesh. As for Dhruv, he will need to wait for his chances and wait for the spot to open up.
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