IND vs SA 1st Test: Ten Doeschate hints at India fielding both Pant, Jurel in Kolkata

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that he ‘would be very surprised’ if India doesn’t field both its wicketkeeper-batters, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, in the playing XI against South Africa in the Test series opener in Kolkata, starting on Friday.

While Pant proved his fitness – he had fractured his foot during the England series – by starring for India A against South Africa A, Jurel has put himself in contention with a storming run with the bat.

From his last five First-Class games, Jurel has gathered four hundreds, including two tons in the same match against South Africa A last week.

“I don’t think you can leave him [Jurel] out for this Test, is the short answer,” said ten Doeschate in a press conference in Kolkata on Wednesday, in response to a question on Jurel’s selection.

READ | Finders Keepers: Can India field both Pant and Jurel together in its Test team?

“But obviously, you can only pick 11 as well. So, someone else will have to miss out. I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of the combination. Given the way Dhruv’s gone in the last six months, scoring two hundreds in Bangalore last week, he’s certain to play this week. I’d be very surprised if we don’t see Dhruv and Rishabh playing in this Test this week,” said ten Doeschate.

The former Dutch international added that Jurel will most likely replace all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who the team has been projecting as a long-term prospect, in the playing XI.

Nitish was used sparingly as a bowler in India’s previous Test series, against West Indies at home, with the 22-year-old delivering just four overs across both games.

“The primary thing is to set out a strategy to win the game, and then if you can accommodate giving guys chances for development, that comes in. Our position certainly hasn’t changed on Nitish. But I would say, given the importance of the series and given the conditions we think we’re going to face, he might miss out in this Test this week,” said ten Doeschate.

The Indian coach also suggested that, from early appearances, the Eden Gardens surface would offer something for both pacers and spinners.

“Just from the early looks at the wicket, it looks like a good wicket that should spin later. So yes, it’s not just going to be about the spin. Both teams have quality fast bowlers. So I guess the challenge for both teams is the combinations we go in with.

“But certainly we are going to be relying a lot on our seamers to make early inroads in the first couple of days. That’s what you want from a really good Test wicket as well. It’s not just reliance on one facet. But I do think spin is going to be important on this pitch in the long run,” added ten Doeschate.

Published on Nov 12, 2025