Sarfaraz Khan’s India comeback hopes dashed as youngster set to be dropped from Test squad: Report

Sarfaraz Khan made no mistake in not including himself in the India squad for the opening Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai last week. He had scored three fifties in his first five innings for India, including two in a row on his debut in Rajkot against England earlier this year. However, the board gave the experienced KL Rahul, who was making a comeback after missing a couple of Tests against England earlier this year due to injury, the middle-order role for the Chepauk match.

Sarfaraz Khan of India takes part in a practice session ahead of the first cricket Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai, India, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP)

Rahul failed to make the most of the opportunity, scoring just 38 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium against Bangladesh amidst several criticisms for giving away his wicket after scoring 16 off 52 balls in the first innings. However, coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma are ready to give him another chance to prove his worth as he is likely to be selected in the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh, which begins at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Thursday.

After India backed Rahul for the second Test, they are likely to release Sarfaraz for the Iran Cup, as per reports from PTI, where he will join the Mumbai team for the red-ball competition against Rest of India in Lucknow. The Iran Cup will begin on October 1.

“Listen, Sarfaraz is the only specialist in the middle order. Dhruv Jurel is a wicketkeeper-batsman and Axar Patel is an all-rounder. What if there is a need for a replacement after a concussion? But yes, the Irani Cup starts from October 1 and travelling from Kanpur to Lucknow even on September 30 will not be a big deal if the Test match ends earlier,” a BCCI source told PTI.

The Mumbai Cricket Association, which is yet to formally request Sarfaraz’s release, is likely to announce the squad for the Iran Cup on Wednesday.

Suryakumar Yadav out of Iran Cup; Shreyas Iyer gets another chance

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar, who has had a great run in the red-ball format including a one-off appearance in the Buchi Babu tournament last month and a lone match in the Duleep Trophy last week, will miss the Irani Cup, as will all-rounder Shivam Dube as both are automatic picks for the Indian T20I squad that will face Bangladesh in a three-match series between October 3 and 6.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, who had a forgettable Duleep Trophy campaign, which has hampered his chances of making a comeback to the Indian Test team, will get another chance to impress the BCCI selectors when he makes an appearance in the Irani Cup. All-rounder Shardul Thakur is also expected to make a comeback in the red ball, with an eye on Team India for the upcoming home series against New Zealand.