India’s Sarfaraz Khan has cemented his place in the Test team after his impressive century in the first Test against New Zealand. Despite Shubman Gill’s return from injury, the team management has opted to retain Sarfaraz, dropping out-of-form KL Rahul.
Sarfaraz’s 150 in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, which India lost by eight wickets, has earned him praise from former India batter Aakash Chopra. Chopra believes Sarfaraz should be included in the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia.
“In the squad, yes, in the playing XI, we don’t know yet. You will need to carry enough, and it might be a larger squad anyways, it is a five-Test match series. First time in Australia, we are going to play five matches,” Chopra said.
“Sarfaraz, whenever he has played, it is just not about the last Test match, what he did against England was also commendable, so there is no reason for us to even speculate that he won’t be part of the touring squad, I think it is a given he will be there,” he added.
New Zealand, who won the first Test for their first Test victory in India since 1988, lead the three-match series 1-0. Spinners are expected to play a key role in the second Test in Pune.
New Zealand have made one change, with left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner replacing fast bowler Matt Henry, who has a “glute niggle.” India have made three changes, with Gill, fast bowler Akash Deep, and spinner Washington Sundar coming into the team.
Rahul, pace bowler Mohammed Siraj, and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav have been dropped.
