There is a lot of anticipation around the India vs South Africa Tests, where many believe the visitors will finally be able to score their first series victory ever. But it goes without saying that, South Africa has its own challenges, and it wouldn’t be easy for this relatively inexperienced squad to create history. More than the bowling, it will be the batting that will need to come good, and statistics show India’s weakness in that department.
With the likes of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Yashasvi Jaiswal having not played in such conditions before, India needs to maybe get in a debutant, who has scored heavily in the domestic structure, and to top it all, scored in South Africa recently, in the tour games. The 26-year-old Sarfaraz Khan has been in top form and first scored 68 for India A against South Africa A, and now came up with a 61-ball ton in the Intra-squad game.
Current India Batsmen in South Africa
Even before we move to why Sarfaraz, it is important to understand, that the batsmen in the current roster might not be enough after all. At least the numbers show us. Starting with he Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, he has a paltry record in South Africa. In the four Tests he has played there, he has scored 123 runs overall, at an average of 15. His highest score is only 47.
Talking about KL Rahul, having played five Tests in SA, he has only 256 runs at an average touch over 25. That even includes a ton and a fifty, which means, he has largely struggled in the nation. Now comes the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Jadeja in SA has played only one Test and averages 8. As for Ashwin, in six Tests he has 197 runs at an average of 17.90.
Only Virat Kohli has been exceptional in South Africa. In seven Tests, with the help of two tons and three fifties, he has scored 719 runs, at an average of over 51.
Why India Needs Sarfaraz Khan
Clearly, India is lacking in the batting depth, and can’t solely depend on Virat to come good. A player like Sarfaraz, who is high on confidence, has a point to prove, and has a great first-class record, does deserve a chance. And he might eventually play a pivotal role in India’s wins, if he gets match time.
