Former India cricketer turned commentator Dinesh Karthik shared his opinion on the decision to send Sarfaraz Khan to bat at No. 8 during the ongoing third Test against New Zealand. However, he had to wait for six wickets to fall in the first innings before he could bat on his home ground in Mumbai as well. Coming out to bat in the 48th over, Sarfaraz Khan failed to make an impression as he was dismissed for a four-ball duck.

“The left-right combination – it was working till it lasted. When Rishabh Pant got out, there was a feeling that the left-right combination would be continued and it will help India. So, sending Jadeja was not such a bad move. Because when Jadeja fell and there two right-handers got at the crease, that was the only time when wickets fell quickly. So, it probably was not the worst decision. It was something that was forced upon them,” Karthik said (via Cricbuzz on X).

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya shares happiness after winning back the love of fans

“In this case, I would definitely cut a bit of slack for Gambhir because the evidence was there that left hand-right hand combination out in the middle was helping the side,” he further added.

However, Dinesh Karthik also added that the demotion in the batting order was difficult for Sarfaraz Khan as it forced him to counter an unfamiliar scenario as well.

ALSO READ: “Shubman’s captaincy is very good” – Ravi Bishnoi on Shubman Gill

“I hope not, but it does. Can’t say no to that. The one thing as a batter that you want, is the comfort of batting in the same position. To an extent, a number above or below, you are able to adjust. But, to go three spots below, your whole mindset changes, it feels very different. Whereas at No.5, you are at that stage where you know what to do. But straightaway walking in at No.8, which I don’t think he must have done in a long time in red-ball cricket, would have been very different,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.