The cricketing fraternity has been buzzing with excitement as Sarfaraz Khan’s years of dedication and outstanding performances in the domestic circuit have been duly recognized with a call to don the Indian whites for the upcoming second Test against England in Vizag starting this Friday, February 2. A scoring behemoth with a first-class average of an astounding 69.85, Khan’s name had been on the tips of fans and pundits alike, all expecting his inclusion sooner rather than later.
After a prolonged anticipation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) broke the news on Monday, January 29. Injuries to star players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have sidelined them for the second Test, necessitating alterations to India’s lineup. The BCCI release unveiled the addition of three new faces – Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar to bolster the squad.
Khan, whose recent batting averages in the Ranji Trophy read like a dream sequence – 154, 122, and 91 across the last three editions of the tournament – has been nothing short of sensational. Having topped the batting charts consistently since 2020, he had attracted keen interest from the selectors and is now set to showcase his prowess at the international level.
It wasn’t just the selectors who took notice. Sarfaraz’s Mumbai teammate, the flamboyant Suryakumar Yadav, celebrated the news with an encouraging message on his Instagram, “Maiden India call-up. Utsav ki taiyaarri karo,” signaling the start of a festive occasion, an ‘utsav’, for Sarfaraz’s supporters. The social media eruption mirrored this sentiment, with fans creating an outpouring of memes and film references to mark the joyful occasion.
The community’s reactions were testament to the popularity and the anticipation surrounding Sarfaraz’s inevitable climb to the national team. Meanwhile, given the injuries, India’s squad composition for the upcoming Test presents an interesting dilemma. With the absence of Jadeja and Rahul, there’s space for Rajat Patidar and Washington Sundar to join the playing XI. Even Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist spinner, could come into consideration, potentially shifting the balance of the team.
Although Patidar was already in the squad and may have an edge for selection, Sarfaraz’s phenomenal run with the bat could make it hard to overlook him when deciding on the final eleven. The cricket community waits eagerly to discover if Sarfaraz will indeed wear the coveted cap in Vizag, or if he will have to bide his time a little longer.
The backdrop to this selection story also includes disciplinary news from the cricketing world. India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah faced an ICC reprimand for inappropriate physical contact with England’s Ollie Pope. Also, scandal stirred in the Saurashtra team as liquor bottles were discovered with team players, leading to the possibility of action from the Saurashtra Cricket Association’s Secretary.
The fans, meanwhile, stay singularly focused on the positives and the potential of Sarfaraz’s inclusion in an already robust Indian Test lineup. In a sport as unpredictable as cricket, speculation about final team compositions remains just that – speculation. However, one thing is for sure: Sarfaraz Khan, with his exceptional talent and persistence, could enrich the narrative of Indian cricket as it unfolds in the challenging days of Test cricket ahead.
