Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has joined the debate over Dhruv Jurel's red-hot form and his probable inclusion in India's playing XI for the next Test series against South Africa, which begins on November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Jurel impressed a lot when he made his India Test debut against England last year and has been the backup wicket-keeper for the Indian team since Rishabh Pant’s return. He kept wickets when Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury during the Lord’s Tests and then the Manchester Test, when he fractured his foot.

Jurel got the chance to play as the first-choice keeper in the recent two-Test series against the West Indies and cashed in by scoring his maiden Test century.

This has led to clamor for his inclusion in the Indian XI as a pure batter when they face South Africa in the two-Test series, with the first match to be played in Kolkata from November 14 onwards. Experts and fans have stated that Jurel is a good enough batter to be played at the no. 3 spot in place of Sai Sudharsan, who has been backed at the position since the England Test series.

Ganguly, addressing at a function, hailed the youthful wicketkeeper-batsman's purple patch but noted that breaking into India's established Test lineup would be difficult.

“He's playing well, isn't he? Rishabh is back, and I don't know what the selectors are thinking. Basically, the spots are taken—two openers, (Shubman) Gill at four, Pant at five, and KL (Rahul) and (Ravindra) Jadeja are there. Players have performed. How easy will it be to open up a slot for Dhruv Jurel at this stage? I wouldn't know,” Ganguly said, as per the Times of India.

“But it depends on whom they want to send at No. 3—whether they want to go with Sai Sudharsan or bring in our in-form Dhruv. We'll find out,” he stated.

Dhruv Jurel also made headlines with twin centuries in the second four-day game between India A and South Africa A in Bengaluru.

Ganguly also tipped India as overwhelming favorites at home, highlighting the team's formidable spin attack and recent form.

“Because India's spin attack is very good. And this young team went to England three months ago and played exceptionally well. It was a fantastic series—exceptional performances by Gill, Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Rahul, and Pant. India is a bundle of talent,” Ganguly said.

The two-match Test series will conclude in Guwahati from November 22 to 26, followed by a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series.