I will still play KL Rahul over Sarfaraz Khan: Parthiv Patel

Shubman Gill missed the first Test against New Zealand due to a stiff neck and that allowed Sarfaraz Khan to feature in India’s middle-order. The 26-year-old got out for a duck in the first innings but slammed a stunning century in the second essay, scoring 150 off 195 deliveries. The right-hander now averages 58.33 after four Tests, having hit three fifties and one century.

Gill is now match-ready and is likely to feature in the second Test in Pune, starting on October 24 (Thursday). But the question is, who will he replace? It would be harsh on Sarfaraz to drop him after such a hundred, and that brings us to KL Rahul. The 32-year-old got out for 0 and 12 in the opening Test, which India lost by eight wickets, and now averages 33.87 after 53 Tests.

Former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, however, wants India to stick with Rahul. “The question will be whether Sarfaraz Khan will get to play or they will go with KL Rahul. I will still play KL Rahul, the way the team has shown faith in him. I am thinking like that based on how the team’s thinking has been,” he said on Colors Cineplex.

Parthiv said the situation is similar to that of seamers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Siraj has played 13 home Tests and picked up only 19 wickets at an average of 36.15. Even in the first Test, the right-armer could only claim two wickets. Meanwhile, Akash Deep has eight wickets in three games at an impressive average of 23.12.

“If you wanted, you could have made Rahul bat at No. 3 in this Test match but you said that you didn’t want to change his position. Nothing to take from Sarfaraz’s knock, he made 150 runs for sure, but it’s the same situation as Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep. There will definitely be pressure on KL Rahul but I would still play him,” said Parthiv.

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