India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that in-form wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is certain to play in the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting on Friday.

Speaking on Wednesday, ten Doeschate said Jurel's recent form made him impossible to leave out, even with Rishabh Pant returning as vice-captain.

"I don't think you can leave him out for this Test, is the short answer," ten Doeschate said. "But obviously, you can only pick XI as well, so someone else will have to miss out. I think we've got a pretty good idea of the combination. And given the way Dhruv's gone in the last six months and scoring two 100s in Bangalore last week, he's certain to play this week."

Jurel's rich run of form

Jurel struck his maiden Test century during India's home series against West Indies and followed it with unbeaten knocks of 132 and 127 for India A against South Africa A in Bengaluru last week.

He kept wicket in Pant's absence during the West Indies series, and ten Doeschate said he would be "very surprised" if both wicketkeepers did not feature in Kolkata. The only previous Test in which the pair played together was in Perth during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Reddy released as India settle combination

Seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been released from India's squad for the Kolkata Test, with his place the most vulnerable in the side.

South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship winners, are in India for two Tests, five T20 internationals and three ODIs. The second Test is in Guwahati.

Jurel has said there is no competition between him and Pant. His inclusion gives India extra batting depth at home.