Team management and Shubman Gill are examining the playing XI for Today’s match, with batting skills of Dhruv Jurel under inspection. Absence of Rishabh Pant necessitates a strategic reorganization, potentially clashing the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav or the determination with Washington Sundar. Arshdeep has been asked to be ready while availability of Jasprit Bumrah remains uncertain.
As head coach Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak got into their usual huddle next to the main pitch, eyes of all of them were trained on Dhruv Jurel batting in the nets at the far end of the same square.
The playing XI for today will go round around how much the team management faiths in batting skills of Dhruv Jurel. Rishabh Pant’s outstanding record as a wicketkeeper batting at No. 5 offered the management freedom to play around with the combination.
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As per the team’s needs the major benefit with Pant at No. 5 has been the luxury to field an all rounder or extra bowler. Bowling capabilities of Shardul Thakur were highly ignored by captain Shubman Gill, is the only seam-bowling allrounder option available. Gill’s diffidence to give him the ball in Manchester Test was jerking. It resumed the debate about the requirement to include specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was sidelined in the series due to his lesser batting skills.
Against Kuldeep at the Oval Pant’s absence could again work. On Tuesday Jurel struggled a lot in the nets during his batting for a long period. Kotak has informed on Tuesday that the Indian team was not bothered about wicketkeeping of Jurel since he has chosen in the last two Tests due to injuries of Pant.
It will be interesting to watch if Washington Sundar after match saving hundred in Manchester Test is continued with at No. 5. Washington was drafted into the side in the second Test due to his ability to bat at No. 8. If he goes up the order, the NO. 8 spot will remain a examine.
