Former India all-rounder Parthiv Patel has made a shocking prediction for the second Test match between India and New Zealand in Pune. Parthiv reckons India will face KL Rahul over India’s Sarfaraz Khan despite scoring a magnificent hundred in Bengaluru.
Sarfaraz Khan had a fantastic Test match in Bengaluru as he scored his maiden international hundred. It was a much-anticipated innings from Sarfaraz, who had scored many runs in domestic cricket before being selected for India. He scored 150 off 195 balls during the second innings.
On the other hand, KL Rahul had a disappointing Test at his home ground. He recorded scores of 0 and 12 in both innings while batting at No. 6. With Shubman Gill likely to return for the next Test, one of those shots will have to go.
Parthiv Patel picks KL Rahul over Sarfaraz Khan for Pune Test
Speaking at Colors Cineplex after the game, Parthiv Patel opined that the Indian team management will continue to throw their weight behind KL Rahul and are likely to pick him for the second Test over Sarfaraz Khan.
“The question is whether Sarfaraz Khan will be able to play or they will go with KL Rahul. I will still play KL Rahul as the team has shown faith in him. I think so based on the mindset of the team,” Parthiv claimed.
Both Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul were in India’s squad for the Test series against Bangladesh, but the team management decided to go with Rahul considering his injury absence.
Rahul played a brilliant knock of 68 off 43 balls and helped India win a rain-soaked game. However, Sarafaraz’s last knock changed everything as the youngster now has a chance to be in India’s first choice XI.
Parthiv Patel feels KL Rahul will be under pressure
Parthiv Patel further mentioned that India could have played KL Rahul at No.3 in the absence of Shubman Gill. He feels that Rahul will now be under a lot of pressure as Sarfaraz has already shown his potential with the bat.
“If you wanted, you could have Rahul bat at No. 3 in this Test match, but you said you didn’t want to change his position. Sarfaraz’s batting didn’t take anything, he scored 150 runs, but it’s the same situation as Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep. KL Rahul definitely there will be pressure, but I would still play it,” he said.
Big decision for team management
The team management has a big decision ahead of the next Test. It remains to be seen who the team management prefers for the Pune Test, which is a test match for India.
The Indian team management has one more big decision to make before the next game. Mohammed Siraj has not been in great form in recent times and also performed poorly in the last test match.
Meanwhile, Akash Deep, who did not get a game in the last Test, has been in good form and could replace Siraj in the next match. New Zealand currently lead the Test series 1-0 with two matches remaining.
