At just 26 years old, Sarfaraz Khan has already started making waves in Test cricket. Despite having played only three Test matches so far, Sarfaraz has amassed 200 runs at an impressive average of 50 from five innings. His performances in both domestic and international cricket have garnered considerable attention, raising expectations for his future in the longer format of the game.

However, former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth believes that the selection committee made the right choice by including KL Rahul in the squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced India’s squad for the first Test, set to begin on September 19 in Chennai.

Both Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul were named in the squad, but Srikkanth suggests that Rahul might be favoured for the No. 5 position in the playing XI. In a statement to IndiaToday, Srikkanth expressed sympathy for Sarfaraz Khan but acknowledged the complexities of team selection in Test cricket.

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“Honestly, I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan,” Kris Srikkanth said. “But this happens in Test cricket. Sometimes, even if you’re performing well, you might lose your place when a big player returns. For example, Rishabh Pant’s return has meant that players like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan might miss out. KL Rahul is coming in,” he added.

Srikkanth also pointed out that the selectors are likely considering future series, such as the Australia series and New Zealand’s upcoming tour. He highlighted Rahul’s solid track record overseas, particularly his performances in Australia, which could influence the selection decisions.

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KL Rahul, who showed promising form against England earlier this year before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the series, will be eager to make a strong comeback. With the Test series against Bangladesh commencing on September 19, and the second Test scheduled to start on September 27 in Kanpur, Rahul has a significant opportunity to cement his place in the squad for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.