Former India opener Aakash Chopra sees Sarfaraz Khan making his debut in the third Test between India and England if KL Rahul is ruled out of the game as well. The selectors announced the Indian squad for the final three Tests against England on Saturday, February 10 where both Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have been added subject to fitness clearance from the board’s medical team as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja are a part of this team, which was going to be the case. I think KL Rahul should walk into this team because it was a niggle, it wasn’t a tear or something, especially since he is a batter and is not keeping currently. So I am assuming he will be available in Rajkot and will play as well. He will fit immediately in place of Shreyas Iyer to bat at No. 4. Just in case Rahul isn’t available, you could see Sarfaraz Khan making his debut.”

However, KL Rahul missed the second Test against England after complaining of pain in his right quadriceps. With Shreyas Iyer being left out for the final three Tests, Rahul and Sarfaraz are the only specialist batters in the team apart from the players who played the second Test as well. And, Aakash Chopra doesn’t want Ravindra Jadeja to be added to the playing XI unless he is fully fit.

“Ravindra Jadeja is indispensable in this team, there is no doubt about that. However, because he is indispensable, you don’t want to rush him back too quickly as he will have to bowl a lot. He will also have to bat and field. He is a three-dimensional player. So for him, I would say move ahead with caution. If he comes, India might start thinking about playing four spinners with Bumrah,” Aakash Chopra concluded.