Dhruv Jurel Over FIT Rishabh Pant in 2nd Test vs New Zealand Better Option. Here's WHY

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has recovered from the injury he picked up during the Bengaluru Test, yet playing Dhruv Jurel at Pune is a wiser choice. One would be tempted to play Pant, but again, the Indian team would have to take into account the five Test matches they are scheduled to play against Australia in the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar trophy. Pant did not keep wickets after the second first two sessions of Day 2 due to a blow he took on his right knee while keeping during New Zealand's first innings. But then he batted and played a crucial 99-run knock. Now the question is, will the management risk Pant in the second Test even if he is fit? It looks unlikely at this point of time. 

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‘Just about being extra careful’

“He’s ( Rishabh Pant ) had a massive operation on his leg, so we all know what he went through,” Rohit had said after the first Test. “He’s had a lot of minor surgeries, one big surgery on his knee, and he went through a lot of trauma, to be honest, in the last one and a half years. So it’s just about being extra careful, not careful with him. Even when he was batting, he was not comfortably running. He was trying to only put the ball in the stands.”

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In fact, if Jurel plays at Pune, Pant would also get a break which would help him get better. Jurel made his debut earlier this year against England and did a speeding job as a substitute keeper in the first Test. Given the scenario, Jurel could very well be Pant's back-up in Australia. 

Meanwhile, after conceding the first Test against New Zealand, India would like to bounce back at Pune.