Sarfaraz Khan has returned to the Indian Test team after almost two years, and former off-spinner R Ashwin asked the team's administration and selectors to provide him with clarity regarding his role. Sarfaraz is a member of the Shubman Gill-led Test team that is getting ready for a two-match Test series that will begin in Galle on August 15.

Injured Sai Sudharsan was ruled out for the Sri Lanka series owing to injury and was replaced by Sarfaraz. The Mumbai batter last played for India in 2024 against New Zealand.

Ashwin urged the team management to respect the hierarchy, saying Sarfaraz should wait for his chance and supporting Dhruv Jurel to keep his spot in the squad despite a recent decline in form.

"Dhruv Jurel. You have brought back Sarfaraz Khan. He has come in place of Sai Sudharsan as an injury replacement. That's one," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a century in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, is expected to replace Sudharsan at no. 3 in the India XI.

A few had argued in favor of Sarfaraz Khan playing at no. 6 ahead of Dhruv Jurel, given his brilliance in being innovative against spin, as the Test series is likely to be played on spin-friendly pitches. Jurel has been troubled by spin in the past, with five of his last seven dismissals having come against spin.

Ashwin said the team management should ensure Sarfaraz knows where he stands in the Test team in terms of his role.

"And I think clear messaging to Sarfaraz Khan is also important. If someone feels Sarfaraz can be suspect in some conditions, then you have to give him clarity: 'Sarfaraz, you will get an opportunity to serve the team in subcontinent conditions.' So, you don't waste Sarfaraz's time and focus on improving himself. He can become the king of the subcontinent and a good player of spin," Ashwin said.

"You need to keep the communication clear. You need to give him chances. If you think he is suspect, he needs to be told. Across the globe, people have specialists based on conditions. Take Australia. Australia has Peter Handscomb for subcontinent conditions. Usman Khawaja was brought back into the team to tackle spin, and he went on to become a regular opener,” he added.

Sarfaraz played six Tests in 2024, the year in which he made his debut. He scored 371 runs, including a hundred. Incidentally, all of his appearances came in India.