The wait is over for Sarfaraz Khan to finally make it to the India Cricket Team. But he has to wait to make his debut. Rajat Patidar is the one who is likely to get the nod in IND vs ENG 2nd Test in Vizag. The Madhya Pradesh batter was called in as a cover ahead of India vs England Test series. However, now that Virat Kohli and KL Rahul both missing out, it’s a golden opportunity for Rajat Patidar.
With two centuries against England Lions, Rajat Patidar was promptly called in for the Test series as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who pulled out due to personal reasons.
Now India Cricket Team are further depleted. KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a fantastic 86 against England in the IND vs ENG 1st Test are all ruled out.
Rajat Patidar vs Sarfaraz Khan
While Sarfaraz Khan remains an option in the middle order at No 5 to replace KL Rahul, it is likely that it will be Rajat Patidar. Not only Patidar can open and play at No 3, but he can also bat in the middle order.
To make another case for him, he can bowl. After India were left searching for an option in the bowling department in the loss in Hyderabad, Patidar could add another dimension.
Rajat Patidar has scored 4000 runs in 55 First Class matches. He also has 12 centuries and 22 half-centuries with a highest score of 196.
Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid are both in favour of giving the domestic stars a chance to shine in India before throwing them in deep in overseas conditions.
Where would Rajat Patidar bat?
If Rahat Patidar makes his debut, India will likely make changes to the batting order. Shubman Gill has been struggling at No 3. Hence, he could be demoted to a middle-order role at No 5 in place of KL Rahul.
In that case, Rajat Patidar could bat at No 3 with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening. Shreyas Iyer will keep his No 4 slot for the time being despite dual failure in Hyderabad.
As for Sarfaraz Khan, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma would back him for another match before taking a call.
India’s Squad for 2nd Test vs England
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar.
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