Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra backed star Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan to retain his place in the XI before KL Rahul if Shubman Gill returns from injury for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, starting Thursday, October 24 as well. Despite a great start to his Test career, Sarfaraz warmed the benches during the recently concluded Bangladesh home series before the ongoing New Zealand Tests as well.
Chopra told Sports 18 via India Today: “You will see Sarfaraz playing. He has scored 150. And KL Rahul, the way he played and the way he got out, I think he will make way. And in Indian cricket, there is another important thing — the atmosphere is very important. I think the atmosphere is saying play Sarfaraz.”
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“Yes, Karun Nair made 300 and in the next game, they dropped him. He was playing in Ajinkya Rahane’s spot and when Rahane came back, after scoring 300, he was dropped. It was a Test career that could have been, might have been. He was not able to make a career because he did not get continuity. If you want to go that way, then KL Rahul will play. Sarfaraz has to sit out. I have a feeling that it won’t happen like that,” he further added.
Meanwhile, another former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel also felt that Team India should continue playing KL Rahul in the playing XI over Sarfaraz Khan as well. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in mind, the Indian management has played with KL Rahul at No.6 despite having the opportunity to play him at No. 3 for Shubman Gill in the first New Zealand Test as well.
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“I would still play KL Rahul. Considering how the team has backed him and their thought process, I believe this. KL Rahul could have batted at No. 3, but the team management made it clear they don’t want to change his batting position. Nothing to take away from Sarfaraz’s knock; he played exceptionally well to score 150. Yes, there will be pressure on KL Rahul, but still, I would go with him,” Parthiv said in the same discussion as well.
