Sarfaraz Khan in line for a Test debut against England in Vizag.
Rajat Patidar was included in the India squad as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who withdrew from the first two Tests citing personal reasons. Then Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul suffered injuries during the first Test in Hyderabad.
This forced BCCI to include Washington Sundar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Saurabh Kumar in the Indian squad as replacements. With KL Rahul out, a spot has opened up in India XI with Patidar and Sarfaraz being the contenders.
While securing a spot in the playing XI isn't yet assured, Sarfaraz could either pip fellow newcomer Rajat Patidar in the XI or both could get the nod.
But former India keeper-batter Deep Dasgupta isn't fully convinced of Sarfaraz's abilities, suggesting he hasn't scored runs in the big matches despite averaging nearly 70 in First Class cricket.
"Credit to him that he has been in good form for the last two to three years. He scored runs recently against England A as well. He was performing consistently but there were two questions. The biggest question was in place of whom. We say very easily that this or that player should be there but only 11 can play and the squad can have only 15 or 16. Secondly, there was also this question and I have heard it from a few people that where are the runs in big matches," Dasgupta said in a video on his YouTube channel.
He added that the bowling attacks in the Indian domestic FC cricket don't have the quality of teams that can help selectors judge whether a player deserves to be in the national team or not.
"When people talk about first-class cricket, with all due respect, you have 37 teams. You are also playing against some very average teams. I shouldn't be saying this, it will be disrespectful to some of the teams, but the quality of runs is also important. I am not saying this against Sarfaraz,” Dasgupta said.
Furthermore, Dasgupta compared Shubman Gill with Sarfaraz Khan and said that the selectors are more likely to back Shubman Gill over Sarfaraz and give him more chances as they see potential in him.
"At times, the selectors and team management have to be convinced about you as a player and you as a talent. For example, Shubman Gill vs Sarfaraz Khan, do you think both of them will get the same number of chances?
"No, they won't. It is very normal or natural because you see more potential in one. So you give chances based on potential. It becomes very important that the team management, selectors, and captain trust your potential, about what you can do," he asserted.
(NDTV inputs)