Former India assistant coach turned commentator Abhishek Nayar has picked his Indian XI for the first Test against South Africa. He left out Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar, highlighting that the conditions would be difficult as they would favour the seamers. The first Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa will take place in Kolkata on Friday, November 14. Apart from Kuldeep and Washington, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are the two spinners in the Indian squad as well.
During an interaction on the Star Sports show, ‘Game Plan,’ Nayar said, “I would want to if you have persisted with someone for so long. Dhruv Jurel has been fantastic, got a hundred against the West Indies, two back-to-back hundreds now playing for India A vs South Africa A, so terrific, but I want to position him in a place where he can succeed. Ravindra Jadeja at No. 6. For me, No. 7 in these conditions, I would look for a Dhruv Jurel because he is in that sort of form. I would want him to be part of the setup. Unfortunately, everyone is going to be like damn, a Kuldeep may have to miss out in this setup for me.”
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“In these conditions, considering how challenging it is going to be for the batters, I would want that extra surety with a batter and a seamer. So Nitish Reddy comes in and then you have my three seamers in that team. That’s the kind of setup I would go for,” he shared.
However, Abhishek Nayar added that India would win 1-0 when he was asked to predict the series result.
“I would go 1-0 to India, only because of the daylight problem. Shorter days, they are going to the northeast, and it’s winter. I feel South Africa have a good team. I will give one a draw. Guwahati – draw, Eden Gardens – India will win,” he concluded.
Abhishek Nayar’s Indian XI for IND vs SA 2025 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
