Kaif Champions Sarfaraz Khan’s Test Return, Advocates for Immediate Inclusion in Sri Lanka Series
NEW DELHI: Former India international Mohammad Kaif has vocally endorsed Sarfaraz Khan‘s recent re-entry into India’s Test squad, urging for his immediate inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Kaif posits that Sarfaraz’s proficiency against spin bowling, a crucial asset in the anticipated Galle conditions, makes him a superior choice over Dhruv Jurel.
Sarfaraz’s recall comes as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan, with the batsman joining the squad in Sri Lanka on Monday. His return has rekindled discussions surrounding his prior exclusion from the Test team, a period that extended since his last appearance for India against New Zealand in November 2024.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif delved into the circumstances of Sarfaraz’s past absence, unequivocally stating that poor performance was not the driving factor. “There was a reason he was not allowed to play. Performance was not the reason. There was no reason. That his runs were not getting made, that the bat was not working. He made runs against New Zealand. He came across the field. He was playing well. He was in form. When he scored against England, he had a good start,” Kaif elaborated, challenging the narrative around his previous omission.
Kaif lauded the decision-makers for reinstating Sarfaraz, underscoring the invaluable nature of his spin-playing capabilities in the subcontinent. “Whatever happened in between, he was removed. But now, whoever said that he should come back, I feel that he is thinking for India. India is thinking for cricket. We have to win. We will need good players. We will need good players. We will need good players who play well,” he stated, commending the foresight of those who advocated for Sarfaraz’s comeback. He further expressed his optimism: “So, first of all, whoever has named him on the table, I congratulate him a lot. And I hope that Sarfaraz Khan will go there and play well.”
Kaif Picks Sarfaraz Over Jurel for No. 6
The more pressing question now revolves around Sarfaraz’s potential direct entry into India’s starting XI. Kaif firmly believes he should, though he acknowledged the possibility of team management favouring Jurel due to his existing integration within the squad. “If they follow the trend of backing the players who have already been playing for the team, then they might say, ‘Jurel has been with us already. He hasn’t scored consistently, but we will back him because he has already been part of the team.’ If that is the approach, then Sarfaraz will have to wait,” Kaif noted.
However, Kaif’s personal preference remains clear: “But if you ask me what the best XI is, Sarfaraz’s name comes into my best XI because of his ability to play spin at No. 5 or No. 6. His record against spin is excellent.”
Beyond his statistical prowess against spin, Sarfaraz’s diverse shot-making ability is another key factor for Kaif, particularly anticipating the deteriorating pitch conditions later in a Test match. “He also has a wide range of shots. When you get to the fourth or fifth day, batting becomes more difficult, and that is where a player like Sarfaraz Khan can be very useful,” he explained. “He knows how to use sweeps and reverse sweeps effectively. He can hit over extra cover, he is good off the back foot and he attacks spin.”
Jurel’s Recent Form Opens the Door
Kaif also highlighted Jurel’s recent batting form as an additional justification for Sarfaraz’s inclusion in the first Test. “Look, I can understand that India have played well, but Jurel’s recent Test record and form haven’t been that great,” Kaif observed, subtly reinforcing his argument for Sarfaraz.
The selection conundrum surrounding the No. 6 spot is poised to be a significant talking point leading up to the series opener. India possesses a rich pool of batting talent, but Kaif’s conviction is unambiguous: to field the most formidable XI for the prevailing conditions, Sarfaraz Khan should be granted the opportunity.
Sarfaraz’s Test career thus far spans six matches, where he has accumulated 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including one century and three half-centuries. His most notable performance saw him score 150 against New Zealand.
India is set to kick off the two-Test series in Galle on August 15, followed by the second Test in Colombo commencing on August 23. The decision regarding the No. 6 position will undoubtedly be one of the most scrutinized selection calls when the team takes the field for the initial Test.
