"Surprised by this approach from Dhruv Jurel" - Former selector reacts to batter's tame dismissal on Day 3 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test 

Former India selector Saba Karim expressed disappointment at Dhruv Jurel's early dismissal on Day 3 of the Guwahati Test against South Africa. According to Karim, Jurel, sent into bat at No. 4, let go a great opportunity to try and cement his place in the Test XI as a frontline batter.

South Africa continued to have the upper hand over India on Day 3 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, November 24. Responding to South Africa's first innings total of 489, India resumed Day 3 at 9-0, but were all-out for 201. Jurel was dismissed for a 11-ball duck. The batter attempted to pull Marco Jansen, but completely mistimed his stroke.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Karim questioned Jurel's batting approach, considering the fact that India were well behind in the contest. He commented:

"He remains a very technically competent player. That is why I was so surprised by this approach from Dhruv Jurel. No. 4, to come in and play as a specialist batter, that's a wonderful opportunity. Dhruv Jurel has worked hard to get into this position. This was an ideal surface and a situation for him to grow in confidence and score big and, to some extent, cement his place in the batting line-up.

"Jurel has come through the domestic system. He has had a number of opportunities to play in these kind of conditions. I was expecting more," the former India keeper-batter added.

Following his dismissal for a duck on Monday, Jurel registered his third consecutive low score in the series. In the first Test in Kolkata, the Uttar Pradesh cricketer scored 14 & 13.

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"He puts himself in very awkward positions" - Saba Karim dissects Sai Sudharsan's dismissal on Day 3 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

With Shubman Gill being ruled out due to injury, India backed Sai Sudharsan as their No. 3 batter for the Guwahati Test. However, the southpaw managed to score only 15 in the first innings as he pulled a short ball from Simon Harmer to midwicket. Karim opined that Sai Sudharsan has a technical flaw in his game and gets into awkward positions at times. The 58-year-old explained:

"He gets off to good starts. But, at times, he puts himself in very awkward positions, especially off the back foot against spinners. He tends to get cramped and then you are not able to free your shoulders to play those shots square of the surface. I felt that was one such occasions when Sai Sudharsan got into a very awkward position and eventually holed out to the fielder at midwicket."

Left-arm seamer Jansen starred for the Proteas with 6-48 in India's first innings. At stumps on Day 3, South Africa were 26-0 in their second innings, having gained an overall lead of 314 runs.