Mohammad Kaif picks his No. 4 for IND vs SA 2025 ODI series

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has backed Dhruv Jurel to bat at the number four position in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. India’s vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who bats at number four, has been ruled out of the series as he is still recovering from an injury, which he suffered in Australia.

Meanwhile, Jurel had returned with scores of 13 and 14 in the opening Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The right-hander had impressed in the two Test matches against the West Indies in the absence of injured Pant as he had scored 175 runs in three innings at an average of 87.50. 

Jurel has been in fine form and recently returned with scores of 132 and 127 in the second unofficial Test against South Africa A while playing for India A. 

Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “Dhruv Jurel should bat at number four because he has an organized technique. He can stabilise the innings if wickets fall early. He can mould his game according to the situation. Jurel also has the potential to finish the game well. A batter like Shreyas Iyer is needed at number four. Iyer helped Virat Kohli quite a bit, especially in the 2023 World Cup. Kohli used to play his natural game, taking singles and doubles along with the odd boundary. Iyer used to dominate in the middle overs due to which India were in an advantageous position most of the time. I think Jurel has to take an approach similar to Iyer.”

The former Uttar Pradesh batter believes Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma might not get their chances in the first ODI against the Proteas.

“I don’t see Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad getting an opportunity in the first game. KL Rahul will play at five. Then there is Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. So, there is batting till No.8. Spin department is complete – Sundar, Jadeja, Kuldeep. But if Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana make it to the eleven, who is the third seamer? I don’t consider Reddy as the third seamer, he can be the fourth. Reddy can bowl 3-5 overs but the first-change bowler is equally important. So, Hardik Pandya is that missing link,” he added.

The Natwest Trophy final hero said Jurel is ahead of Rishabh Pant in the pecking order in ODIs. Pant is yet to grab his opportunity with both hands in the 50-over version.

“I think Dhruv Jurel is ahead of Rishabh Pant in the pecking order if you consider the playing eleven. He is playing well in Tests, scoring hundreds and is a compact batter. Pant is returning for 2-3 years. I remember Pant scoring a hundred in 2022 in England but plenty of players came after that. His form dipped and couldn’t quite click as a white-ball player. He is not that good in white-ball cricket – averaging 33 in ODIs. Sanju Samson, on the other hand, averages 56 in ODIs.”

The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, on Sunday.