“Surprised by this approach of Dhruv Jurel”


Former India coach Saba Karim expressed his disappointment at Dhruv Jurel's early dismissal on Day 3 of the Guwahati Test against South Africa. According to Karim, Jurel, sent in to bat at No.4, let go of a huge opportunity to try and cement his place in the Test XI as a front-line batsman.

South Africa continued to have the upper hand India on Day 3 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, November 24. In reply to South Africa's first innings total of 489, India resumed on Day 3 at 9-0 but were all out for 201. Jurel was dismissed for an 11-ball duck. The batsman tried to pull Marco Jansen but missed his shot completely.

During a discussion about ESPNcricinfoKarim asked mackerelthe team's batting approach, considering the fact that India trailed far behind in the contest. He commented:

“He's still a very technically competent player. That's why I was so surprised by this approach from Dhruv Jurel. No. 4, to come in and play as a specialist batsman, is a wonderful opportunity. Dhruv Jurel has worked hard to get this position. This was an ideal surface and situation to grow in confidence and score big and to some extent cement his place in the line-up.

“Jurel has come through the domestic system. He has had several opportunities to play in these kinds of conditions. I was expecting more,” added the former India wicketkeeper-batsman.

After his layoff for a duck on Monday, Jurel posted his third straight low score in the standings series. In the first Test in Kolkata, the Uttar Pradesh cricketer scored 14 and 13.

'Put himself in very uncomfortable positions' – Saba Karim discusses Sai Sudharsan's dismissal on Day 3 of IND vs SA 2nd Test 2025

With Shubman Gill ruled out due to injury, India backed Sai Sudharsan as the No.3 batsman for the Guwahati Test. However, the left-hander managed to score just 15 in the first innings as he removed a short ball from Simon Harmer at midwicket. Karim thought so Sai Sudharsan he has a technical flaw in his game and sometimes puts himself in awkward positions. The 58-year-old explained:

“He starts well. But sometimes he gets into very awkward positions, especially off the back foot against the spinners. He tends to get tight and then you can't free your shoulders to play those square shots off the surface. I felt it was one of those occasions when Sai Sudharsan got himself into a very awkward position and eventually cried to the field.”

Left-arm seamer Jansen starred for the Proteas with 6-48 in India's first innings. At stumps on Day 3, South Africa were 26-0 in their second innings, having built up an overall lead of 314 runs.