Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra suggests that Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel might be left out of India’s upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Both players made their international debuts during India’s recent home Test series against England earlier this year, which was their last Test series.
With KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant expected to return, Jurel and Sarfaraz may not feature in the upcoming series despite their recent performances. KL Rahul, who scored a noteworthy 86 in the first Test against England before injuring himself, was unable to participate further, leading to Sarfaraz Khan’s debut.
Dhruv Jurel replaced the struggling KS Bharat in the playing XI. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who was India’s primary wicketkeeper in Tests and missed out due to recovering from a severe car accident, played pivotal roles in India’s Test victories in Australia and England.
Aakash Chopra makes a huge claim on Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel
In a Q&A segment on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked if Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel will keep their places after the return of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Chopra felt that Sarfaraz and Jurel won’t find a place in the Playing XI against Bangladesh since India will give preference to Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul on the basis of seniority.
“I don’t think that they (Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel) will get a place in the Playing XI. Initially, they won’t get a chance as both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will play. If someone has been out injured, then the player gets his place back once he is fit and this has always been the story of Indian cricket. I don’t think it will be anything different this time,” Chopra reckoned.
“Both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will play” – Aakash Chopra
The former India opener added that despite Sarfaraz and Jurel’s excellent performances on debut, they will be dropped as it has always been the story of Indian cricket to give the place back to the player who got injured earlier.
“Dhruv Jurel was the Player of the Match in Ranchi and Sarfaraz Khan had a good debut but I think both of them will be dropped. According to me, both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will play.”
“I don’t know if it’s right or wrong but this is the story they have always followed. If a player gets into the Playing XI in place of the injured player, he must wait for his next turn as the injured player gets his place back once he gets fit,” Chopra said.
“There is nothing wrong in this. The rules should be the same for everyone. For example, if Virat Kohli gets injured and he comes back, he will come straight into the Playing XI and it is the same with Rishabh and KL Rahul as well. If someone is doing well and then gets injured, then you need to bring him back right away,” he added.
Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan impressed in debut series
Dhruv Jurel had an exceptional performance both with the bat and gloves. He accumulated 190 runs across three Tests, averaging 63.33, and was named Player of the Match for his outstanding innings of 90 and 39* that led India to victory in Ranchi. Conversely, Sarfaraz Khan scored 200 runs in three Tests at an average of 50, including three half-centuries during the series.
India’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh is set to start on September 19. The first Test will take place in Chennai, while the second Test will be held in Kanpur.
