SA vs IND Test Series: The renowned name of India’s domestic format, Sarfaraz Khan has again grabbed the limelight due to his stunning performance in India’s intra-squad fixture with India A. Part of India A squad on the South Africa tour, Sarfaraz is in firing form. He received a maiden call-up for India A squad after being neglected by Indian selectors for a long period even after scoring plenty of centuries.
Sarfaraz has kept scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy seasons & his dominance in India’s middle order has been unparalleled in recent form. At 26 he has displayed remarkable performance amassing 3657 runs at an average of 71.70 across 41 first-class matches. His recent half-century against South Africa strengthens his position as one deserving player of India’s Test contingent.
With an impressive record of 13 centuries and 10 fifties in just 61 innings, Sarfaraz consistently hits the fifty-run mark every 2.65 innings. Looking at Sarfaraz’s prowess in red ball cricket there are chances that BCCI confirms Sarfaraz as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s replacement. Smashing a ton in the intra-squad match strengthens Sarfaraz’s contenders in India’s Test Squad for the crucial Test series.
Gavaskar & Wasim back Sarfaraz’s Inclusion in National Team
Infact, Sarfaraz got good backing from Sunil Gavaskar & Wasim Jaffer for getting a place in India’s squad. They had criticized selectors when Sarfaraz hadn’t picked him for the Test tour against West Indies in 2023. Sarfaraz had also shared an Instagram Story in which he put out his domestic track record.
Even Akash Chopra expressed his concern in a tweet about Sarfaraz Khan being remembered only for his first-class performances without getting a chance to represent India. Chopra hopes that this doesn’t continue for long & the need for transparent communication about what should be done for Sarfaraz to earn a sleection. He further emphasized that without this clarity his motivation to perform might diminish & a good talented cricketer might stay out of the Indian National team.
SA vs IND Test Series: How Ruturaj Gaikwad sustained a finger injury?
Ruturaj Gaikwad sustained a finger injury when he was playing the ODIs against South Africa. He underwent scans & the reports suggest that Ruturaj will need more time to recover. Looking at Gaikwad’s inability to recover on time Indian management has released him & he is travelling back to India. Ruturaj scored just 9 runs in 2 matches he played. ”Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the two-Test series with ring finger fracture,” a source said, as quoted by PTI.
India & South Africa will lock horns in the first Test to be played in Centurion from December 26 to 30. After the conclusion of the first Test both the teams will move to Cape Town for the second & final Test slated to be played on January 3.
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