Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has stated that Sarfaraz Khan should be selected ahead of Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to start on Saturday, August 15, in Galle.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif has reckoned that with Jurel not being in good form of late, and Sarfaraz’s ability to tackle spin pretty well, he insisted the team management should opt for Sarfaraz ahead of Jurel in the middle-order.
“Whoever took the call that Sarfaraz Khan should be there in the team, whatever the reason for him being dropped and not picked before that, he wasn’t even being selected for India A, all that happened but whoever took the call of bringing him back in Sri Lanka where there could be pitches favourable for him and he could score runs, usko mera salaam hai bhai (I salute them),” said Kaif in a video on his Youtube channel.
Furthermore, Kaif has emphasised that if it is a slow or turning pitch in Galle, Sarfaraz has to be in the XI at No.6 ahead of Jurel. Sarfaraz last played a Test in November 2024 against New Zealand and hadn’t been picked since India’s 1-4 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 Down Under.
“If they choose to back Jurel since he has been a regular for the past few Tests for India, then Sarfaraz will have to sit out. But if you ask me what the best eleven is, Sarfaraz’s name comes in it. He has a good record of playing spin at Nos. 5 and 6. On his debut against England, it was a slow pitch, but he scored 60 (62) in the first innings before being run out, and in the second he made 68 and was unbeaten. He has a range of shots, which might be needed in the fourth and fifth days. He plays with the field, and attacks spin,” he concluded.
