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India were not forced to give a debut to a batter in the first Test against England at Hyderabad despite Virat Kohli pulling out of the first two matches of the five-match series as the hosts opted to play a specialist wicket-keeper in KS Bharat. In South Africa, KL Rahul had kept wickets. In Hyderabad, KL Rahul got a promotion and batted at No. 4, Kohli’s slot, as Bharat took the No. 6 spot. But with Rahul now injured and out of second Test at Visakhapatnam, India will be forced to play a debutant — Sarfaraz Khan or Rajat Patidar.
Rahul is out due to pain in his right quadriceps, which means either Patidar, who came into the squad as replacement for Kohli, or Sarfaraz, who has earned his maiden India call-up, will most likely play in the second Test as India look to bounce back after a 28-run defeat at Hyderabad.
The million-dollar question, however, is, who will get to make his debut?
Kohli is expected to be back for the third Test and both Patidar and Sarfaraz have this one golden opportunity to make a mark in Test cricket unless India suffer more injury scare in future.
What can work in Sarfaraz’s favour
Rajat Patidar, the 30-year-old batter form Madhya Pradesh, has already played one ODI for India in South Africa in December 2023. Many feel he is primed to make his Test debut as well, especially after making 111 and 151, playing for India A, recently against England Lions. However, there’s a good chance, Sarfaraz could pip him for the one middle-order slot.
Why?
After losing the first Test on a slow surface in Hyderabad where Indian spinners including the great Ravichandran Ashwin struggled, there’s good chance India could opt for a spinning track to mount a comeback in the series.
Sarfaraz Khan’s selection for Team India squad has led to multiple congratulatory messages for the Mumbai batter. Image: PTIOn a spinning track, there’s a possibility, India may give an opportunity to Sarfaraz over Patidar, considering the Mumbai batter’s superior stats in first-class cricket on Indian pitches.
In 45 first-class matches, Sarfaraz has 3912 runs at an average of 69.85 with 14 hundreds and 11 fifties. He has a highest score of 301 not out. Patidar, meanwhile, has 4000 runs in 55 matches at an average of 45.97 with 12 tons and 22 fifties. He has a highest score of 196. The stats tell us that Sarfaraz has a habit of playing big knocks consistently on Indian pitches.
He also recently made a 161 against England Lions in a four-day game and was named the Player of the Match.
What can work in Patidar’s favour
But there’s one factor that can work in Patidar’s favour, that is his proven experience in IPL. The MP batter has already shown that he has the maturity and temperament for the highest stage even if he lacks international experience. Sarfaraz hasn’t been able to shine in IPL and had largely become a victim of pace and bounce in the T20 league.
Rajat Patidar could be in line to make his Test debut against England. PTIRahul was the most experienced middle-order batter in India’s squad with Kohli missing. Now with Rahul out, India also need experience and that can work in Patidar’s favour. Also Patidar was picked in the squad ahead of Sarfaraz and that is another advantage.
All in all it’s an absolute difficult decision for team management including captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid to make, one which can prove to be a big contribution towards the future of middle-order batting for Indian team, but if it backfires, they are sure to face the brunt.
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