Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Sarfaraz Khan’s absence from India’s 18-man squad for the five-match Test series against England. The Indian squad was announced by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel on Saturday, but there was no place for the Mumbai batter.
Chopra noted that Khan was not given his opportunity on the Australian tour and he has been shown the exit door by the selectors without getting a chance.
Khan had broken into India’s Test team after scoring a bucket load of runs in the domestic circuit. The youngster has scored 371 runs in six Test matches at an average of 37.1. Khan played his last Test against New Zealand but returned with scores of 0 and 1 on a spin-friendly pitch at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
“Sarfaraz Khan is not part of the team. You have to obviously feel for the boy. Seeing him you are saying that he might not score runs, but he hasn’t failed. Neither did you play him in the BGT nor have you kept him in the team here. You wrote the kid’s obituary without giving him a chance to fail,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator urged the youngster to prove his mettle while playing for India A against England Lions.
“However, he is also part of the India A squad. So score runs in the side games and show what they are doing is wrong. Show that you can score runs in England as well. It is actually up to you now to prove that point,” he observed.
On the other hand, Karun Nair has been added to the Test squad after consistently performing in the domestic circuit. Chopra said it would be interesting to note if the Vidarbha captain will get his chance in the final XI against England.
“Indian cricket has given Karun Nair another chance. He is a part of the team. Only time will tell whether he will get a chance to play or not. He will be a part of the India A squad as well. Score runs and put forth a solid case for you to be included in the XI,” he said.
Chopra reckons either Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sai Sudharsan will bat at one down, whereas Shubman Gill will bat at number four with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the two openers.
“Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran are in the Test squad. I see one of the two playing at No. 3 because I feel the captain will go to No. 4, and Yashasvi and KL Rahul will be the two openers,” Chopra observed.
The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.
