3 reasons why India must not bat Dhruv Jurel at number 3 in IND vs SA 2025 Tests

With each passing game, Team India wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel, is making a sterner and sterner case to be a bona fide part of the red-ball playing XI, and not just a backup. After a successful home series against the West Indies, where he availed an opportunity to play amid Rishabh Pant's injury, Jurel has carried the form for India 'A' as well.

He slammed twin hundreds in the second unofficial Test against South Africa 'A' in Bengaluru ahead of the two-match home series against the Proteas, scheduled to begin from November 14 onwards. The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 132 in the first innings after coming into bat at 59-4. In the second innings, he followed it up with an unbeaten 127 to help India post 382-7.

Jurel has certainly made a massive case for his inclusion, but the headache for the team management is to find a possible combination where he can play as a pure batter while the returning Rishabh Pant takes up the gloves. A common theme that has been making the rounds among fans and pundits, is to feature Jurel as the No.3 batter going ahead.

On that note, let us take a look at three reasons why India must not bat Dhruv Jurel at number 3 in IND vs SA 2025 Tests.

#1 India cannot abandon the Sai Sudharsan project midway

While Dhruv Jurel's impeccable numbers and form bring upon the temptation to unleash him in Team India's red-ball batting order at No.3, a position where they are trying to bring some stability amid transition, it is not as easy, and straightforward as that. The chief reason why Jurel cannot walk straightaway at No.3 despite ticking almost all of the boxes is Sai Sudharsan.

The team management have given the Tamil Nadu batter a clear path to have a shot at the No.3 role, even taking Karun Nair out of the equation after the England tour. The selectors have assured him of a long rope, and to his credit, he showed signs of promise in the Test series against the West Indies, coming agonisingly close to recording his maiden hundred.

Although runs have not flown from his bat since then, it cannot be used against him as far as his place in the team is concerned, at least in these crucial nascent stages. A tough debut start-stop series in England and two home Tests is not enough games to judge, which is why Sudharsan will and should be rooted at No.3, for the time being.

#2 India can always fit Jurel in at either No.5 or No.6 if they play five bowlers instead of six

Fortunately for India and Jurel, there is another way to accommodate the player as a pure batter without jeopardizing the No.3 slot. However, it might need India to deviate from their unprecedented six-bowler plan, amid the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the recent home Tests.

The all-rounder bowled only four overs in the entire two-match series, and with a challenging Proteas bowling attack up next, the Men in Blue will need as much proper batting resources as possible. Leaving out Reddy is unlikely to affect India's bowling prowess as such, since they will still have five credible bowlers, of which a couple will be all-rounders to provide the balance and depth.

Jurel's inclusion in the middle-order certainly offers more solidity, and his assurance comes across as a nice complementing factor to Rishabh Pant's flamboyance as well. The trio of Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja promises to be a resistant force to the Proteas bowlers, as they have the temperament to bat long, and stretch the score.

#3 India are better off keeping Jurel in the position where he has played his best and most cricket

While Jurel may possess a solid technique and appetite for runs, the unfortunate fact is that none of his exploits so far have come at No.3. His recent twin tons against South Africa 'A', came while batting in the lower middle-order. Although he has had to come into bat well earlier than expected, he still did not have to face a brand new ball, which might be the case if he is deployed at No.3.

Not to suggest that he does not have the ability against the new red-ball, but given the fact that he has been performing exceptionally in the middle-order, whether it be in international or domestic cricket, it makes sense to keep him in that particular role, let him thrive, and gain even more momentum.

If India pull the trigger and replaces Sai Sudharsan for Jurel at No.3, and if the ploy backfires, then it dents the momentum of two players, resulting in some unwanted collateral damage. Amid transition, where the team desires stability and results more than anything else, India are better off making safe, rational calls rather than radical, risky ones.

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Edited by Gokul Nair