Sarfaraz Khan slammed his maiden Test ton in Bengaluru against New Zealand.
Former opener Aakash Chopra expects Sarfaraz Khan to feature in India’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune even if Shubman Gill returns to action.
Chopra claimed Sarfaraz will be preferred over KL Rahul, who failed to make a mark in both innings of India’s eight-wicket defeat in the series opener in Bengaluru.
The cricketer-turned-commentator cited the example of how India dropped Karun Nair from the playing XI right after he slammed a triple ton against England in 2017 to accommodate a returning Ajinkya Rahane.
Shubman Gill’s neck injury paved the way for Sarfaraz Khan’s inclusion in India’s playing XI in the Bengaluru Test. The Mumbai batter grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he slammed his maiden Test ton (150) in the second innings after bagging a duck in the first essay.
On the other hand, Rahul struggled in familiar home condition, returning with scores of 0 and 12 in the two innings.
"Yes, Karun Nair made 300 and in the next game, they dropped him. He was playing in Ajinkya Rahane’s spot and when Rahane came back, after scoring 300, he was dropped. It was a Test career that could have been, might have been. He was not able to make a career because he did not get continuity. If you want to go that way, then KL Rahul will play. Sarfaraz has to sit out," Chopra told Sports 18 after India's defeat in Bengaluru.
"I have a feeling that it won’t happen like that. You will see Sarfaraz playing. He has scored 150. And KL Rahul, the way he played and the way he got out, I think he will make way. And in Indian cricket, there is another important thing -- the atmosphere is very important. I think the atmosphere is saying play Sarfaraz," he added.
On the contrary, former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel opined that India should stick with KL Rahul for the second Test, slated to get underway on October 24 in Pune.
"I would still play KL Rahul. Considering how the team has backed him and their thought process, I believe this. KL Rahul could have batted at No. 3, but the team management made it clear they don’t want to change his batting position. Nothing to take away from Sarfaraz’s knock; he played exceptionally well to score 150. Yes, there will be pressure on KL Rahul, but still, I would go with him," he added.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill was seen batting on the centre pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, raising hopes of make a return to the second Test.