Former India batter WV Raman said he would prefer Sarfaraz Khan over Dhruv Jurel in the side’s playing eleven for the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting in Galle on Saturday, citing the visitors’ need for a frontline batter in the middle order who can attack the hosts’ spin bowling line-up.
The other thing that he will bring to the table is that he is also a good close-in catcher, and that is perhaps something that you would need, especially if Sri Lanka dishes out a turning track,” Raman told IANS in an exclusive conversation, facilitated by Sony Sports Network, on Thursday. “I would tend to think in a Test match, you will have to go for the specialist. Dhruv Jurel has done well as a wicketkeeper-batter. He gets some runs. But this man has also done well. The young boy, Sarfaraz Khan. So, I think if you have picked him in the side as a specialist batter for Test cricket, I would rather tend to go with him. “But he is also a very good player of spin. He can be an attacking option. “It will be very tempting to try and see other options as well. But I think Padikkal deserves to play, especially when you consider the fact that he is a top-order batter.
A much-fitter Sarfaraz, meanwhile, was called up as a replacement for the injured Sudharsan, thus marking his return to the side after being unused in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Raman also backed Padikkal to bat at number three, after scoring a sparkling unbeaten 142 from that position in a three-day warm-up against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the NCC Ground in Colombo.
Shubman Gill-led India are under pressure to win both Tests in the series to stay in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, where they are in the fifth spot in the standings, and are expected to finalise their batting combination in the coming days. They have got possibly about seven Test matches, if I am right. They have to win at least about five or six, as was the last time somebody mentioned India’s chances of qualifying for the final. So, very little margin for error. They have got to be at their best in the next three-four months of Test cricket that they are scheduled to play,” concluded Raman. 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. Take Australia, Australia have 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.
Because it’s come to a stage where they need to be at their best, “They hardly have any margin for error here.
He can become the King of the subcontinent, become a good player of spin,” Ashwin said.
Earlier reporting noted: “And I think clear messaging to Sarfaraz Khan is also important. Earlier reporting noted: “Across the globe, people have specialists based on conditions. Earlier reporting noted: Big Surprise In India’s Playing XI For 1st Test, Senior Player Left Out By R Ashwin Big Surprise In India’s Playing XI For 1st Test, Senior Player Left Out By R Ashwin Big Surprise In India’s Playing XI For 1st Test, Senior Player Left Out By R Ashwin
