Earlier in the year Sarfaraz Khan made his debut for India and impressed everyone with his attacking batting against England. A slot for Sarfaraz was opened because of the absence of the regular players. However, for the upcoming home Tests and series against Australia later Down Under former Indian selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said he would prefer to have KL Rahul to Sarfaraz.
With top four batting positions filled with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli the number five is the slot up for the grabs with either Rishabh Pant or Dhruv Jurel locked in for a keeper spot at six after which bowlers and all-rounders are to follow.
“I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan, even if you play well, sometimes some big player comes in after an injury, and you lose your place,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. Sarfaraz scored 200 runs at an average of 50 from three matches.
“KL Rahul, at the end of the day, in the back of your mind you should keep the Australia series in mind, New Zealand series is next – so KL Rahul is the man – KL Rahul Rolls Royce has done very well in Australia,” he said. Rahul in five innings scored 187 runs at an average of 20.78 in Australia. “Difficult bowling – KL Rahul, Great Bowling – KL Rahul – you have nobody else – Classy Rolls Royce Rahul,” he added.
However, Rahul did play a sublime innings playing as a keeper-batter in Centurion in December last year when the team was in trouble. “I think KL Rahul has played quality Test innings in South Africa and Australia. And leading up to the Australia tour (Rahul’s form) is going to be crucial I feel and it’s going to probably be one of the greatest Test series of our time.”
Additionally, Rahul also chipped in a crucial 85 in the first Test against England in Hyderabad earlier this year on slow and low pitch before getting injured and was ruled out for the rest of the series.