Aakash Chopra anticipates that Sarfaraz Khan could potentially make his debut in the third Test between India and England should KL Rahul be unavailable for the match. Sarfaraz Khan can be seen smashing tons of runs in the domestic arena but hasn’t got a chance to represent India in the red ball format only.
The Indian selectors announced the squad for the last three Tests against England on Saturday, February 10. The inclusion of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja is contingent upon receiving clearance from the board’s medical team regarding their fitness.
Aakash Chopra’s take on Sarfaraz Khan
Aakash Chopra suggested in his YouTube video that if KL Rahul is unavailable for the third Test in Rajkot due to fitness concerns, Sarfaraz Khan should be handed his debut for India.
“KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja are a part of this team, which was going to be the case. I think KL Rahul should walk into this team because it was a niggle, it wasn’t a tear or something, especially since he is a batter and is not keeping currently,”
“So I am assuming he will be available in Rajkot and will play as well. He will fit immediately in place of Shreyas Iyer to bat at No. 4. Just in case Rahul isn’t available, you could see Sarfaraz Khan making his debut,” the former India opener stated.
Due to a right quadriceps injury, KL Rahul was absent from the second Test against England. As Shreyas Iyer was not selected for the remaining three Tests, Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are the only specialist batters available in the Indian squad, aside from those who participated in the Visakhapatnam Test.
You Don’t Want To Rush Him Back Too Quickly– Aakash Chopra on Ravindra Jadeja
Aakash Chopra is cautious about including Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI unless he has fully recovered from his injury. He provided his rationale, stating
“Ravindra Jadeja is indispensable in this team, there is no doubt about that. However, because he is indispensable, you don’t want to rush him back too quickly as he will have to bowl a lot,”
The former cricketer turned commentator suggests that the home team might contemplate deploying four spinners alongside Jasprit Bumrah if Ravindra Jadeja is fit to play.
“He will also have to bat and field. He is a three-dimensional player. So for him, I would say move ahead with caution. If he comes, India might start thinking about playing four spinners with Bumrah,” he stated.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that the Indian team management might be hesitant to omit either Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel, given Ravichandran Ashwin’s near-certain selection. While recognizing that Mohammed Siraj could replace Mukesh Kumar, he expressed uncertainty about the necessity of two fast bowlers on the Rajkot pitch.