There was a lot of discussion about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ongoing edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rohit scored 135 runs in the first match. Kohli scored a century in the first match and a half-century in the second. There is news that Kohli can play one more match. Here we are talking about Dhruv Jurel, who is playing for Uttar Pradesh, his bat has also done well in the tournament so far.

Dhruv Jurel is playing for Uttar Pradesh. The wicketkeeper batsman played a brilliant inning of 160 runs in the team’s third match today. In this innings played in 101 balls, Dhruv hit 8 sixes and 15 fours. Batting first, UP scored a huge score of 369 runs with the help of Jurel’s brilliant innings. In reply, Baroda team was all out for 315 runs. UP won the match by 54 runs.

Dhruv Jurel in VHT 2025-26

24-year-old Dhruv Jurel is the second highest run-scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jurel had scored 80 runs in the first match against Hyderabad. In the second match against Chandigarh, Jurel had played an inning of 67 runs. In the third match, he scored the first century of this edition. He has scored 307 runs in 3 matches. Jurel has hit 12 sixes and 30 fours in the tournament so far.

top run scorer

Vidarbha team’s batsman Aman Ravindra Mokhade is currently the highest run-scorer in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. He has scored 331 runs in 3 innings, his highest score is 139. Aman has so far scored 2 centuries and 1 half-century.

Top-10 run scorers in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

• Aman Mokhade (Vidarbha)- 331
• Dhruv Jurel (Uttar Pradesh)- 307
• Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka)- 293
• Pukhraj Maan (Himachal Pradesh) – 284
• Lalit Yadav (Goa)- 278
• Ravi Singh (Railway)- 273
• Dhruv Shorey (Vidarbha) – 266
• Samar Gujjar (Saurashtra)- 256
• Aryan Juyal (Uttar Pradesh)- 240

All the teams have played 3-3 matches in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. There are 5 batsmen who have scored 2 centuries. Apart from Aman Mokhade, Padikkal, Pukhraj, Lalit Yadav and Dhruv Shorey have scored 2 centuries.

South Africa defeated Team India by 30 runs in the first match of the two-match Test series. Now the second test match between India and South Africa is to be played in Guwahati from 22nd November. Before this, Team India practiced in a unique way at Eden Gardens. However, there was also a risk of injury to the Indian players. In fact, in the first test match, Indian batsmen were seen struggling against the South African spinners. For this reason, Indian batsmen have practiced in a unique way.

Indian batsmen Sai Sudarshan and Dhruv Jurel practiced hard for about three hours wearing a pad in front of the spinners on Monday. This was an optional practice session, in which left-handed batsman Sudarshan practiced by removing the pad of his right foot. Sudarshan was not included in the playing eleven in the first Test match played in Kolkata and there is no guarantee that he will get a chance in Guwahati.

Batting without a pad on his front foot against left-arm spinners and off-spinners meant he had to be especially cautious about avoiding injury to the shin or any exposed area. This is an old method of batting practice, in which coaches insist that batsmen use their bat more than their front pad to stop the ball. Another reason behind such practice is that India’s left-handed batsmen have a tendency to go on the backfoot. This kind of practice helps them to play the spinners forward.

Like Sudarshan, Dhruv Jurel also took out a pad and practiced. He played as a specialist batsman in the first Test match, but failed to perform as expected. The team management can keep him in the playing eleven in the same role in Guwahati.

During the optional session, head coach Gautam Gambhir kept a close eye on Sudarshan, who is one of the contenders to replace Shubman Gill. The Indian captain may have to sit out of the second test due to neck cramps. Both these batsmen practiced in front of fast bowlers also, but they did not look comfortable in front of them. Akashdeep’s ball took the edge of his bat many times and even the net bowlers troubled him with the movement. Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had a long conversation with him during the break.

Despite the defeat in the first Test match, it was surprising that only six players turned up for the optional session, including the most senior member, Ravindra Jadeja, who batted for the longest period. Due to Gill’s chances of playing in the second Test match being very slim, all-rounder Nitish Reddy has been ruled out of the ongoing India A series against South Africa A in Rajkot. Reddy has returned to Kolkata and joined the team, but he did not participate in the optional practice session.

Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram had a good start, making a partnership of 57 runs for the first wicket. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both the openers, after which South Africa’s innings could not recover. In the first session, South Africa had scored 105 runs by losing 3 wickets, in the second session the visiting team lost 5 wickets and scored only 49 runs, in the third over of the third session South Africa was all out for 159 runs.

Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets, Mohammad Siraj took 2 wickets in a single over. Kuldeep Yadav also got 2 wickets, Akshar Patel got 1 wicket.

India’s innings started in the third session, the first wicket in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal fell in the 7th over. Marco Janson bowled Jaiswal (12). India’s second wicket did not fall till the end of the first day’s play, KL Rahul was playing with 13 runs and Washington Sundar was playing with 6 runs. Team India was 122 runs behind. Today (15 November) is the second day of Kolkata Test.

India’s playing 11: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa’s playing 11: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony De Jorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Janson, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj.

South Africa’s tour of India is starting with the Test series, the first match of which is going to start from Friday, 14th November. Akshar Patel may have to sit out in this test to be held at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. It is considered certain that Dhruv Jurel will play, the assistant coach had confirmed that Jurel and Pant can play together. Nitish Kumar Reddy will have to sit out, which has been confirmed by BCCI itself.

Rishabh Pant, who was injured during the England tour, has now fully recovered and is ready to play his first international match after about 3 months. In such a situation, it is believed that Team India can enter Kolkata with a combination of 3 fast bowlers and 2 spinners.

Why was Nitish Kumar Reddy out?

Nitish Kumar Reddy has been out of the first test only, although the reason for this is not due to injury. Let us tell you that Nitish was also injured during the Australia tour. He had already started practicing after reaching Kolkata, perhaps he would not have been in the playing 11, hence BCCI released him from the squad to play against South Africa A.

Giving an update, BCCI said, “Nitish will join the India A team for the ODI series against South Africa A in Rajkot and after the end of the ‘A’ series, he will return to the Team India team for the second Test.

NEWS

Nitish Kumar Reddy released from India’s squad for the first Test.

Nitish will join the India A squad for the One-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot and will return to #TeamIndia squad for the second Test post the conclusion of the ‘A’ series.

Details…

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2025

In the playing 11 combination of Team India, 3 spinners can play in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj will be the two fast bowlers. Indian team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also said in the press conference that Dhruv Jurel scored 2 centuries against South Africa A, he will play this week. He had also said that Nitish would not be able to make a place in the playing 11.

Rishabh Pant or Dhruv Jurel, who will be the wicket keeper?

Now the big question is that if both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are in the playing 11, then who will do the wicket keeping. There is every possibility that Pant will be the wicket-keeper, because if he was not completely fit then the management would not be in a hurry to field him.

India’s probable playing 11

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket keeper), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Where to watch live India vs South Africa 1st Test?

The first Test between India and South Africa will be telecast live on Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be on JioHotstar app and website.

India vs South Africa The first test will be played at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata from 14th November. Before this, Team India has suffered a big blow, the star all-rounder has been out of the first test. Team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has revealed that Dhruv Jurel is certain to play in Kolkata. However, Rishabh Pant will also be in the playing 11, who will play his first international match after being injured in England.

Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that along with Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel will also play the first Test against South Africa. Jurel had scored his first Test century in the series against West Indies, he had played unbeaten centuries (132, 127) in both the innings of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A last week. He is in great form.

Nitish Kumar Reddy out of first test?

Nitish Kumar Reddy was injured during the Australia tour, there were questions about his fitness. Although he is a part of the Test squad, the assistant coach said that Jurel is certain to play, so Nitish will not be able to play the first Test. At the same time, a report has said that Nitish can be removed from the squad for the first test itself, he can play domestically.

India’s probable playing 11 for the first test

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel (wicket keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa has not won a test series in India for 26 years

The South African cricket team won its first and last Test series in India in 1999. After this, Team India came to play the Test series 5 times, but could never win.

Talking about head to head in Test, there have been a total of 44 matches between the two. Team India has won 18 times and South Africa has won 10 times. 10 matches have ended in a draw.

India vs South Africa first test schedule

• date: 14 to 18 November, 2025
• Venue: Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata
• Time: from 9:30 am
• Live broadcast: star sports network
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar App/Website.

IND vs SA: The first match of the 2 test match series between India and South Africa is going to start from 14th November. Before this series, a big update has come out regarding the playing 11 of Team India. The biggest discussion was whether Dhruv Jurel will get a chance after the return of Rishabh Pant or not? But now the news is that both the players are going to get a place in the playing 11.

Big revelation regarding playing 11

According to sources, both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant will be included in the first test. Pant will play as a wicketkeeper while Jurel will be given a chance as a specialist batsman. That means the team management has not taken the risk of dropping him considering his recent performance.

Jurel batted well against South Africa A and scored runs continuously. At the same time, he also scored his first Test century on the West Indies tour. These performances impressed the selectors and now he has definitely become a part of the playing 11.

Which player’s place will be cut?

However, with Jurel’s entry, one player’s place will definitely be lost. According to team insiders, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy may have to sit out. In Indian conditions, the need for his bowling is less, while Jurel is considered more reliable than him in batting.

A BCCI official told PTI, “Jurrell will play as a specialist batsman. The team management wants to retain Sai Sudarshan at No. 3, so Jurrell will be fitted in place of Nitish Reddy.”

The team got a big boost from Pant’s return.

Rishabh Pant is returning to the Test team after a long time. After recovering from injury, he will once again be seen behind the wicket. Pant’s aggressive batting and experience can prove to be a big plus for the Indian team.

Even if Reddy is dropped, India will still have five bowling options. In which Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar will handle the responsibility of the spin department.

India vs South Africa test series starts from 14th November. The first test match will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata from 14th November. Before that, preparing the best playing eleven has become a headache-inducing task for the team management. Especially the wicketkeeper’s slot is causing great concern. Test team vice-captain Rishabh Pant will be returning from injury, on the other hand, Jurel has also staked claim for a place in the playing eleven by scoring centuries in both the innings of the second unofficial Test match against South Africa A.

Dhruv Jurel has also increased the concern of Team India management because not only against South Africa A, but before that he had also played a century in the first test match against West Indies. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has talked about giving place to both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in the playing eleven in the first test.

Give a chance to both Pant-Jurel…

Aakash Chopra said through his YouTube channel, “Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, both are in the squad. Rishabh is the vice-captain, so he will play. He will play and he should play. I believe that Dhruv Jurel should also get a chance. There should be a place for him in the playing eleven too. The question will be whether you will remove Sai Sudarshan from the top order or Nitish Kumar Reddy from the lower order.”

oust Nitish

Aakash Chopra further said that Sai Sudarshan should remain at number-3, but Nitish Kumar Reddy has not shown anything special by coming to his place. Chopra said that Nitish could be ousted, which would free up space for Dhruv Jurel.

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In the second unofficial test, South Africa defeated India by 5 wickets. Team India had to pay for declaring the innings early. In this unofficial test match played in Bengaluru, India A had set a huge target of 417 runs for South Africa A. The South African team registered a big victory by achieving this target by losing only 5 wickets. Jordan Harman played a brilliant inning of 91 runs.

India A had a lead of 34 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, the Indian team declared its innings by scoring 382 runs on the basis of Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 127 runs and half-centuries by Rishabh Pant and Harsh Dubey. Pant contributed 65 runs and Harsh Dubey contributed 84 runs. Declaring the innings was very costly for Team India.

Captain Rishabh Pant’s decision proved costly

The decision to declare an innings rests with the captain and the team management. India A team had declared the innings at the score of 382 before the end of the third day. Dhruv Jurel was set, had scored 127 runs. On his strength, the Indian team could easily set a target of 450 or even 500 runs for South Africa A. But overconfidence proved costly for Team India.

Dhruv Jurel scored centuries in both the innings of this match for the Indian team. He returned unbeaten after scoring 132 runs in the first innings and 127 runs in the second innings. Jurel did not play the first match of the series, but by scoring a total of 259 runs in the second test, he won the Player of the Series award. The first unofficial test was won by India A by a close margin of 3 wickets.

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The Indian team has set a target of 417 runs for South Africa in the second unofficial test. On the third day of the second Test match being played in Bengaluru, India A declared the second innings after scoring 382 runs. Based on the lead of 34 runs in the first innings, Team India has given a target of 417 runs to South Africa A. Rishabh Pant scored a half-century, while Dhruv Jurel scored his second unbeaten century in the same match. Jurel scored 259 runs in this match and was not out even once.

Indian batsmen increased their score to 78/3 on the third day. Only a few minutes had passed since the day had started, when KL Rahul was out after scoring 27 runs. Kuldeep Yadav was fielded as night watchman on the second day, he scored 16 runs. At the time of Kuldeep’s dismissal, India had lost the fifth wicket at the score of 116. His lead was just 150 runs.

Pant’s fifty, Jurel’s century

After the fall of the fifth wicket, Dhruv Jurel and Harsh Dubey took charge. There was a huge partnership of 184 runs between the two, due to which Team India touched the mark of 300 runs. After that Rishabh Pant along with Jurel added 82 runs. Rishabh Pant played a half-century inning of 65 runs.

Dhruv Jurel returned unbeaten after scoring 127 runs in the second innings. Jurel had played an unbeaten century in the first innings also. Jurel had played an unbeaten inning of 132 runs in the first innings. Jurel scored 259 runs in the entire match.

South Africa’s target is 417.

On the third day, India declared the second innings on the score of 382/7. India has set a target of 417 runs. Till stumps on the fourth day, 25 runs were scored in 11 overs without losing any wicket. On the fourth and last day he will have to score 392 more runs to win. Let us remind you that the first unofficial test was won by India A by 3 wickets.

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An interesting incident has surfaced on social media during the ongoing India vs Australia ODI series in Australia. Three players of the Indian team, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Prasidh Krishna, booked an Uber cab in Adelaide, and when the driver saw that the Indian cricket star was sitting in his car, he was shocked.

The driver’s eyes widened

When the cricketers sat in the car, everything was recorded in the dashcam installed in the cab and within a few hours it went viral on social media. In the video, it is seen that Prasidh Krishna is sitting in the front seat, while Yashasvi and Jurel are seen sitting in the back seat. The driver was completely shocked after seeing them, but then completed the rest of the journey without disturbing them. However, it was clearly visible from the driver’s face that he was not able to understand what the Indian cricket stars were doing in his car.

The interesting thing is that these three players have played together for IPL team Rajasthan Royals.

Jaisu, Jurel and Prasidh in an Uber ride in Adelaide pic.twitter.com/c3FuVP9PeN

— Wren (@vyomanaut02) October 22, 2025

Team India’s troubles continue

The Indian team is currently playing a three-match ODI series on Australia tour. The team has lost the first two matches. The series started with a defeat in Perth, and then the team had to face defeat in Adelaide also.

The special thing about the series was that it was the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after seven months, but this comeback was nothing special for both of them. Kohli scored ducks (0 runs) in two consecutive matches, while Rohit managed to score 8 runs in the first match and 73 runs in the second.

Shubman Gill told the reason for defeat

After the defeat, captain Shubhman Gill said, “We had a fighting total, but there was a mistake in fielding. In the first match, the toss was important because rain had an impact. In the second match, the wicket was a little helpful in the initial overs, but later it became easy for batting.”