Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan on Monday got a maiden India call-up after he was added to their squad for the 2nd Test against England starting later this week. The hosts added three names to their squad after Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out due to various injuries.
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The call-up this ended what was turning into a frustrating wait for Sarfaraz who has been scoring heavily in the domestic competition.
Sarfaraz, who bats in the middle order, is in line for a Test debut now but will have competition with Rajat Patidar who for the spot. Patidar was earlier added as a replacement for Virat Kohli who is missing the first two Tests due to personal reasons.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra though feels that Sarfaraz with his unorthodox strokeplay and ability to play spinners makes for a better option.
“Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar are now with the Test squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli are still not there. India will now have to play either Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz. You may pick Sarfaraz because he plays in an unorthodox fashion and is a very good player of spin,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Rahul complained of pain in his right quadriceps, a latest fitness setback for the batter after he was out for several months last year too having injured his thigh while fielding during an IPL match.
“This has been the biggest problem in KL Rahul’s career. Injuries or illnesses have come at the wrong time and they have come many a time. The way he played in the first innings, and to be fair, he was batting assuredly in the second innings as well,” Chopra said.
“There are very few people in our team who play the sweep. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul play the sweep, and KL Rahul will now not be there in this game,” he added.
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