India’s Test Squad Sees a Shake-Up: Sarfaraz Khan Earns Maiden Call-Up
In a surprising turn of events, middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has received his maiden Test call-up, becoming part of the Indian squad for the second Test against England. This significant move comes in the wake of injuries sidelining Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make several adjustments.
Jadeja, who suffered a hamstring problem during a quick single on Sunday, and Rahul, complaining of pain in his right quadriceps, have both been ruled out of the upcoming Test in Vizag starting February 02, 2024. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring their progress, as the Indian team faces challenges with captain Virat Kohli already unavailable for the first two Tests due to personal reasons.
Sarfaraz Khan, a consistent performer in domestic cricket, has long awaited this opportunity, and social media welcomed the decision with enthusiasm. Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav and even Pakistan’s opening batter Imam-ul-Haq extended their congratulations to Sarfaraz on his Test call-up.
“Congratulations brother! So happy for you,” Imam-ul-Haq expressed on social media.
The injuries to Jadeja and Rahul have added to India’s woes after their defeat in the first Test against England. Despite significant contributions from both players, England staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 28-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
While Sundar could potentially replace Jadeja with his promising all-round abilities, the workload on Rahul, who has showcased stellar form recently, raises questions about the team composition. Additionally, the chances of Rajat Patidar, already part of the 15, making his debut in Vizag seem plausible.
As India navigates through these challenges, the upcoming Test promises to be a crucial one in their bid to level the series. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
[Source: PTI inputs]
