Aakash Chopra calls for tough decision between Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Reddy

India’s Test team is on the brink of a tricky decision as the two-match home series against South Africa approaches. With just a four days to go for the first Test in Kolkata, the return of Rishabh Pant and the rise of Dhruv Jurel have left captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir juggling combinations.

Pant’s comeback was always a no-brainer. As vice-captain and an automatic starter, he walks back into the XI. But the problem isn’t Pant, but it’s fitting in Jurel, who has done almost everything right since his debut. His run of consistent performances, including hundreds for India and India A, has made him difficult to ignore. He stepped in terrifically after Pant was unavailable post his injury in England. Now, if dropped, it would be an injustice to Jurel, who is in tremendous form.

Aakash Chopra calls for ‘space’ for Jurel

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes the solution lies in making a hard call between Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that India should “find space” for Jurel even if it means sacrificing one of the two young batters.

“Both Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant are there in the squad. Pant is vice-captain, he will and should play. But I feel Jurel should also play,” Chopra said. “A place should be created for him in the XI. The question will be whether you will compromise Sai Sudharsan from the top or Nitish Kumar Reddy from lower in the order.”

Chopra backed Sudharsan to retain his No. 3 position and suggested that Reddy could be the one to make way. “I think Sai Sudharsan should be allowed to play at No. 3. You haven’t given Nitish Kumar Reddy a proper role with the ball so far. So you can actually sacrifice him and keep Dhruv Jurel there,” he added.