With India trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar series, the team is under pressure to level the score in the final Test at the SCG. To strengthen their chances, India might make a bold move by replacing Rishabh Pant with young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.
Rishabh Pant, who arrived in Australia as one of India’s Test stars, has struggled to live up to expectations. His memorable performances from India’s previous tour Down Under are still fresh in fans’ minds, but this time he has fallen short. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, he has failed to deliver consistently in the series.
In seven innings so far, Pant has scored just 154 runs, with his highest score being 37 in Perth. His dismissals have often been due to poor shot selection, which has drawn criticism, including from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who called his approach “ego-driven.”
Pant’s latest disappointment came in Melbourne, where he had shown patience while batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal during a wicketless second session on the final day. However, a rash shot against part-time spinner Travis Head ended his innings prematurely, costing India a valuable opportunity.
India is now reportedly considering 23-year-old Dhruv Jurel as Pant’s replacement. The Uttar Pradesh cricketer made his Test debut last year against England and impressed with his performances, securing his spot over KS Bharat. Although Pant was reinstated after recovering from an injury, many feel it might be time to give Jurel a chance.
With the pressure mounting to secure a win in Sydney, replacing Rishabh Pant with Jurel could be a game-changing decision for the Indian team.
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Rishabh Pant Needs To Understand…: Rohit Sharma
After India’s 184-run defeat at the MCG, captain Rohit Sharma was asked about Rishabh Pant’s shot selection during the ongoing Test series. Rohit emphasized that Pant needs to evaluate the risks in his game and understand what the team expects from him.
“We haven’t had a specific discussion about today’s performance, but of course, we’re all disappointed. Pant needs to realize what’s expected of him—not just by others telling him, but by figuring it out himself,” Rohit said during the post-match press conference.
“As captain, it’s tough to have a detailed talk because this approach has brought him a lot of success in the past. However, it’s crucial for him to figure out the right way to approach different situations,” he added.