The Indian cricket team was a first-inning embarrassment for an eight-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of their three-match series at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. So poor had its batting been in the first innings, after getting dismissed for just 46; India recovered wonderfully in the second innings to lose. Rohit Sharma’s team fared much better, making 462, with young batter Sarfaraz Khan scoring an impressive 150 off 195 balls laced with 18 fours and three sixes.
In this Test, Sarfaraz got the chance as Shubman Gill had to be excluded from the playing XIs with his neck stiffness. During the final day of this match, Gill was seen training for the batting in Bengaluru, which means he may soon come back into the line-up. Now, it is a selection headache for the Indian team management: KL Rahul or Sarfaraz—one of them has to make way for Gill’s return.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra compared Karun Nair’s case, the only other Indian triple-centurion after Virender Sehwag, who was axed from the playing XI right after scoring 303 not out against England in 2016. He had been dropped after coming in as a replacement for Ajinkya Rahane. Once Rahane was back at fitness, Nair was axed.
Chopra suggested that though historical precedents would say Sarfaraz might be in trouble for getting dropped out, he thinks the team management will retain him in the playing XI. “There’s a theory here regarding Karun Nair, who made 300 and got dropped in the next match because he was playing instead of Ajinkya Rahane.
So, when Rahane came back, Nair fell out of favor. A Test career that could have flourished never got the chance due to a lack of continuity. Logically, by that theory, Sarfaraz could sit out, but I don’t think that will happen. Also, in Indian cricket, a big part is played by external opinions, and at this point in time, those go in favor of Sarfaraz,.
