IND vs ENG, 2nd Test: Fans fume as Sarfaraz Khan not handed Test debut in Vizag; ask BCCI to explain

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Feb 2, 2024, 10:39 AM IST

Both Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar were included in the squad for the second Test against England following injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Patidar got the nod over Sarfaraz to replace Rahul in the playing XI, while Kuldeep Yadav replaced Jadeja.

The anticipation for Sarfaraz Khan's Test debut left fans disappointed once again as Rajat Patidar was selected over him for the second Test match against England in Vishakhapatnam on Friday. Both Sarfaraz and Patidar were included in the squad following injuries to KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Patidar got the nod over Sarfaraz to replace Rahul in the playing XI, while Kuldeep Yadav replaced Jadeja. This decision sparked a wave of discontent among social media users, who expressed their frustration at Sarfaraz being overlooked once more.

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ what about Sarfaraz khan

— y.v.s.deepak (@DeepakYekkali)

No Sarfaraz Khan today also inspite of being in the squad. Is Patidar better than him ? Giving chances to people like Jaiswal, Gill, Iyer who performed poorly. This is nothing but sheer injustice to people who have been performing consistently well https://t.co/oiC5WvMlQc

— V Kartik (@VKartik1)

While Shubman Gill hasn't scored a half-century in his last 11 Tests, he continues to get opportunities, whereas Sarfaraz Khan is yet to receive another chance.
pic.twitter.com/tkWJSfKrL7

— LC🔥 (@LoloCric)

Sarfaraz Khan was selected only to value his domestic records🤩
Playing for India seems far by now, for Sarfaraz💔 pic.twitter.com/zFsRKLf8EP

— Shekhar says✨ (@says_shekhar)

Even after that much bad performance Shubman Gill is still playing over Sarfaraz Khan. This tells you how much politics is there in this team.Shame on you .

— Subhadeep jash (@Subh_30)

Sarfaraz dhoka dega❌
Sarfaraz ko dhoka milega ✅ pic.twitter.com/uNrpE40RpO

— Vivek Panchal 🇮🇳 (@Vivekpanchaal)

Injustice with sarfaraz khan

— Cricket Wala (@asghar_muh88722)

No Sarfaraz..?? What..??? Please explain. Unbelievable...

— Raghav Srinivasan (@RaghavSrinivas7)

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, won the toss and elected to bat first against the Ben Stokes-led England team in the second Test of the five-match series at the Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

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In a statement released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it was announced that Mohammed Siraj has been released from the Indian squad for the second Test match against England in Vizag.

"The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and the amount of cricket he has played in recent times. He will be available for selection for the third Test in Rajkot. Avesh Khan has re-joined the team for the 2nd Test," BCCI said in an official statement.

Team management could've easily played 1 extra batter in Sarfaraz Khan instead of Mukesh Kumar who will be hardly used in this game.

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha)

As the second match approaches, India faces a challenge with the absence of experienced spinners and a mature batting lineup. Virat Kohli's absence due to personal reasons, along with injuries sidelining KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, leaves the team depleted in key areas.

On the other hand, despite their victory by 28 runs in the first Test, England's spin department showcases relative inexperience with frontline spinners such as Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, and Shoaib Bashir. The absence of Jack Leach, the most experienced spinner, due to a knee injury further complicates England's bowling lineup.

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