Dynamic batter Sarfaraz Khan dazzled the team’s leadership earlier this year with his commanding performances against England. The 26-year-old, in just three matches, amassed 200 runs at an impressive average of 50, securing his place for the forthcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
During the 2024 Duleep Trophy, representing India B, Sarfaraz tallied a mere nine runs in the first innings and a promising 46 in the second during the opener against India A. Despite his aggressive approach in the latter innings, he fell short of converting the knock into a significant score. This inconsistency could hinder his chances of making the playing XI, as team management appears to lean towards the more seasoned KL Rahul, who delivered a vital half-century in the Duleep Trophy.
Rahul, a senior cricketer, has maintained form in the limited Test appearances he’s had recently. The choice between the aggressive flair of Sarfaraz and the calm, collected demeanor of Rahul remains a dilemma for the team management ahead of the Bangladesh series. However, a source close to the BCCI has suggested that Rahul is currently leading the race, clarifying that his absence from the last four Tests against England was due to injury, not exclusion.
“KL Wasn’t Dropped, He Got Injured”: BCCI Source
“Many outsiders fail to grasp the inner workings of the team and the systems we follow. In his last three Test matches, KL played a century-winning knock in South Africa—one of the finest Test performances of recent memory—and registered 86 runs in Hyderabad in his final Test before injury. He wasn’t dropped, just sidelined by injury. Having regained his fitness, scored fifty runs in the Duleep Trophy, and sharpened his performance, he is now the leading candidate, a BCCI source informed The Wire.
“Sarfaraz has done everything right, and if an injury occurs, he’ll be the immediate replacement. However, Rahul’s experience, particularly ahead of major series like the one against Australia, is indispensable,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Indian cricketers will reconvene on September 12 in Chennai. They are set to train for nearly a week before the first Test kicks off on September 19.
