"For the future of Indian cricket, I can see him playing a big role" - Temba Bavuma on player who impressed him the most ahead of IND vs SA 1st Test

South African captain Temba Bavuma has picked Dhruv Jurel as the Indian player who has impressed him the most ahead of the Test series between the two sides. He opined that the wicketkeeper-batter could play a significant role in India's cricketing future.

The first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to start at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday, November 14. Even though Rishabh Pant is back in the Indian squad after recovering from the foot fracture he sustained in the Test series against England, Jurel will likely feature in the XI as a specialist batter.

During an interaction on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues,' Bavuma was asked to pick an Indian player who has impressed him the most lately.

"I was part of the South Africa A squad. We played a four-day series in Bengaluru at the Center of Excellence. I played in the second Test and I got to see Dhruv Jurel. I think he is a fantastic batter, fantastic player," the South African skipper responded. "Technically proficient and bats at a good intensity as well. I think for the future of Indian cricket, I can see him playing a big role within that space if he continues to grow the way he is. I think he is an exciting young international player," Bavuma added.

Dhruv Jurel has aggregated 430 runs at an average of 47.77 in seven Tests. He scored twin unbeaten centuries in the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A in Bengaluru recently.

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"He has got big shoes to fill" - Temba Bavuma on Shubman Gill ahead of IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Shubman Gill will captain India in the Test series against South Africa. [P/C: Getty]

In the same interaction, Temba Bavuma was asked about his thoughts on Shubman Gill as a leader.

"It's exciting times for Indian cricket. I think, Shubman, he has got big shoes to fill, taking over from a guy like Rohit Sharma, and what he has done for Indian cricket. But look, he is a fantastic player," he replied.

The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) winning skipper praised Gill for excelling as a batter, despite having the additional responsibility of captaincy, in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

"Look at the way he started off in England, first of all, as a batter. It's never easy going over there and scoring runs. So to be able to do that and with the responsibility of captain, I think that's a big feather in his cap, and I am sure he will grow into it," Bavuma observed.

Shubman Gill has scored 2,839 runs at an average of 43.01 in 39 Tests. The Indian skipper amassed 754 runs at an average of 75.40 in the five-match Test series against England earlier this year.

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Edited by Kartik Iyer