As Team India gear up for the second Test match against England, the Indian management might bring in a few changes to their lineup after the loss against the visitors. India shall bring one of Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar into the side with the likes of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja all set to miss out on the second Test match.
Sarfaraz found a place in the squad for the second Test as a replacement for KL Rahul and has been performing well in domestic cricket. Sarfaraz Khan was the leading run-scorer in the last few editions of the Ranji Trophy and has rained runs in every edition. However, Sarfaraz missed out on chances for a long time and stayed out of the Indian cricket team. Sarfaraz was also adjudged the Player of the Match in the second India A vs England Lions match.
Irfan Pathan gives his opinion on Sarfaraz Khan vs Rajat Patidar debate
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who took a cryptic dig at the Indian cricket team selectors by sharing Sarfaraz Khan’s first-class numbers, is happy that he has found a place in the team. However, while speaking during the launch of the Asian Legends League, Irfan Pathan believes that Rajat Patidar shall make his debut in the second Test match. Pathan was also asked about whether Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer be included in the second match or not.
Both the batsmen have struggled to score runs in the past few weeks in the red ball format. They have not been able to score runs despite being given more chances. However, Irfan Pathan didn’t deny the fact that both the players have not performed well in the past, but he stated that both of them have performed well before so they deserve more chances.
Irfan Pathan said, “It will be a tough task, but since Rajat Patidar was called up first, he should get a chance.”
“There’s no second opinion that for quite some time both of them haven’t performed well, but it is not like that they have never performed. We are seeing a future star in Shubman Gill.”
India faced a humiliating 28-run defeat against England in the first Test. India led by 189 runs in the first innings and still ended up on the losing side. English batter Ollie Pope ended up scoring a ton in the second innings of the Hyderabad Test and brought their team into a winning position. Pope played an innings of 196 runs, which was the fourth-highest individual score by a visiting batsman in the second innings of any Test match in India.
India would be aiming to make a comeback in the series by winning the second Test match set to be played in Visakhapatnam. India slumped to the fifth position in the World Test Championship 2023-25 standings. India would want to go back to winning ways after winning the second Test match in Vizag.
India have played in the two finals of the World Test Championship and lost to New Zealand and Australia on both occasions.
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