On the face of it, a middle-order batsman, who bats at No. 5 or 6 for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, getting into the Test squad for a No. 3 — Sai Sudharsan — is not a like-for-like replacement.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who bats at No. 4 for Maharashtra and held to that position for India A in the unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A in June-July, could have been a more straightforward choice. Then again, the selection committee, in conjunction with the Indian team management, ostensibly opted for more middle-order depth.
On Saturday, after Sai was ruled out of the series due to a right toe injury, a conversation happened around Sarfaraz, it is learnt. His ability to play spin and that he is someone who plays the sweep shot well was taken into consideration. The shot could be the go-to option for the Indian batsmen against the Sri Lanka spinners if the pitches are assisting turn. As regards the No. 3 position, Devdutt Padikkal has sealed it in the injured Sai’s absence.
Dhruv Jurel, the incumbent No. 6 or 7, struggled against Simon Harmer’s off-spin in Guwahati last year, as South Africa won the Test and clean-swept the series. In the tour game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo that ended on Sunday, the wicketkeeper-batsman batsman scored 1 and 17 in the two innings. Sarfaraz’s presence bolsters middle-order options, notwithstanding that he wasn’t part of the India A squad for the Unofficial Tests in Sri Lanka.
Then again, now that Sarfaraz is there, dropping Jurel in the first Test could be a downright dismissal of his ability. It’s a tricky call and as India’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule told reporters after the tour game, the team management will take a decision about the playing XI only after reaching Galle.
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