The BCCI included middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan in the squad for the second Test against England, earning him his first-ever Test call-up.After KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were both ruled out of the Indian team for the second Test against England owing to injuries, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a slew of changes in the roster on Monday. The board’s decision to include Sarfaraz Khan in the Test squad for the first time, along with Washington Sundar and Sourabh Kumar, was made possible by their removal. Sarfaraz has been a reliable scorer in domestic cricket and has been waiting for this day. The announcement of his first call-up by the BCCI was enthusiastically received on social media.
One of the first cricket players to greet Sarfaraz upon his call-up was Suryakumar Yadav of India and Mumbai. Imam-ul-Haq, the opening batsman for Pakistan, congratulated the Indian cricketer on being called up for a Test match, but there were also pleasantries from across the border.
“Congratulations brother So Happy for you,” Imam-ul-Haq wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Rahul’s right thigh injury from playing in the IPL in May of last year was concerning as well. He had to have surgery to repair the injury, which kept him out of the game for four months. “Mr Ravindra Jadeja and Mr KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second IDFC First Bank Test against England in Vizag, starting February 02, 2024,” the BCCI announced in a press release.
“The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring the progress of the duo,” said the statement.
Jadeja and Rahul’s injuries have made things worse for India, who are under pressure after losing just their fourth Test at home since 2013. Virat Kohli was already sidelined for the first two Tests for personal reasons.
Prior to England pulling off an incredible comeback to win the first Test by 28 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, both Rahul and Jadeja had made major contributions. In the first innings, Rahul scored 86 runs while Jadeja claimed five wickets and made 87.
Since making his comeback from injury in the Asia Cup in September, Rahul has shown tremendous form in the ODI and Test format. Keeping wickets in the ODI World Cup and more recently in the Test series in South Africa added to his workload. Although Sarfaraz has got a well-deserved call-up, the chances of Rajat Patidar, who was already part of the 15, making his debut in Vizag are higher. Jadeja’s all-around abilities are invaluable to the team. Off-spinner Sundar, who has shown a lot of promise in his four Test old career, could replace Jadeja in the playing eleven.
