On Jurel vs Pant Wicket-Keeping Conundrum, Ex-AUS Star's 'Risk' Verdict

Former Australian cricket team spinner Brad Hogg believes that India should stick with Dhruv Jurel as the specialist wicket-keeper in Test cricket even after Rishabh Pant completely recovers from his injuries. Pant has been missing in action since late 2022 after a car accident but he is expected to make his return in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hogg believes that Pant should prove himself in domestic cricket and only after that, he should be considered for the national team.

“I think they will keep with Jurel and not go back to Pant quickly. I think they will make him go and play some first-class cricket in the longest format so that they make sure his body can withstand it and make sure, from a batting perspective, he still has the ability that he had before the accident,” Brad Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

“I really hope that Pant gets back to playing Test cricket, but I feel it is a huge risk if they rush him back,” Hogg added.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav took five wickets to bundle out England for 218, with India's batsmen starting strongly on a dominant opening day for the hosts in the fifth Test on Thursday.

Yadav returned figures of 5-72 and, along with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who took four wickets in his landmark 100th Test, bowled out the tourists in just 57.4 overs at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium.

(With AFP inputs)