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The upcoming Test series against Australia will be Sarfaraz’s first away series and it will prove to be a big test with regards to how he can stand up when playing in foreign conditions.
Sarfaraz Khan could play his first away Test in Perth. (Picture Credit: AP)
Indian Test batter, Sarfaraz Khan suffered an injury scare during a net session at the WACA on Thursday. The Mumbai-based batter was seen holding his right arm after being struck on the elbow as he walked off the nets.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Sarfaraz seemed to be in discomfort but it has been learned that his injury is not a serious one and he did not have to undergo an MRI.
Sarfaraz is in contention to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the opening Test in Perth. The availability of the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma still remains uncertain as he could miss the first game due to personal reasons.
KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are tipped as front-runners to take up the vacant opening slot in the absence of Rohit and partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order.
Sarfaraz has come a long way since scoring a plethora of runs in the domestic scene which then warranted his case for being selected in the Test side. He also smashed his maiden Test century during the home series against New Zealand.
Sarfaraz made his Test debut in February and in his six matches since, has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10. But since scoring his first Test hundred, he has struggled in the remaining games against the Kiwis.
The upcoming Test series against Australia will be Sarfaraz’s first away series and it will prove to be a big test with regards to how he can stand up when playing in foreign conditions. He will be challenged against Australia’s quality bowling attack which includes the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood along with the off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
In addition, Dhruv Jurel who had a good performance during the second unofficial test, could also be roped in as a specialist batter and a backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant as well.
India’s bowling attack will also be crucial as it remains to be seen how the visitors will stack up in the opening Test at Perth. India could likely go ahead with a two-spinners option with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The pace attack will be interesting as Mohammed Siraj has not been in the best of form while Akash Deep has yet to experience playing on Australian soil.
(with PTI Inputs)
