Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Nov 9: Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel believes that the team management faces just one key decision ahead of the upcoming Test series against South Africa, starting November 14.

Speaking on Star Sports, Patel said that 10 players in the Indian XI are almost certain to play, but the No. 6 position—between Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy—remains tricky. While selectors have recently backed Nitish, Jurel has made a strong case with back-to-back centuries for India A against South Africa A in unofficial Tests.

"Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will open. Sai Sudharsan will be at No. 3, Shubman Gill at No. 4, and then you will see Rishabh Pant playing at No. 5. The No. 6 position is slightly tricky. Otherwise, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah," Patel said.

He added, "There will be only one question for India, and that will be at No. 6, whether you want to play Nitish Reddy or Dhruv Jurel. It will be an early start in Kolkata. Can Nitish Reddy play the role of the third seamer? Then you can use Nitish with two seamers, and three spinners will come in the second innings."

Jurel recently struck his fifth first-class century, and second in the match, further strengthening his case for a middle-order spot in the first Test.

Patel noted, "Whether it was against the West Indies or wherever, whichever position Jurel has batted in, he has scored runs. The only question is the combination you want to play. If your combination is that you want an all-rounder, he might not get a place.

But if you want a pure batter, Dhruv Jurel can play there. This management has already shown confidence in him once—he played as a batter in Perth. Although India won that Test, he didn’t get a chance after that. I feel Dhruv Jurel has done enough to be considered in the Test team."