Shubman Gill is set to return for the second India-New Zealand Test on October 24 at Pune’s MCA Stadium. Gill is reportedly fully fit, making his inclusion almost certain. The big question now is, who will make way for him: Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul?
KL Rahul vs Sarfaraz Khan: Who Will Be Dropped?
In both the innings of first test, KL Rahul failed to score runs, while Sarfaraz Khan played a brilliant knock, scoring 150 runs in the second innings. This makes the decision tough for the team management. The final decision on who will be included in the playing XI will be revealed after the toss. Here’s a look at who deserves to stay based on their stats.
Experience vs Performance: KL Rahul Has the Edge in Experience
KL Rahul is a seasoned player with 53 Test matches under his belt, while Sarfaraz Khan has played just 4 Tests so far. On paper, Rahul’s experience puts him ahead of Sarfaraz, but recent performances could change that equation.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Impressive Test Stats
Despite limited opportunities, Sarfaraz has made a strong impact in Test cricket. In 7 innings across 4 Tests, he has scored 350 runs at an impressive average of 58.33. His strike rate of 77.77 highlights his ability to score quickly. Sarfaraz has also hit one century and three half-centuries in his short Test career.
KL Rahul’s Test Record: A Mixed Bag
KL Rahul has played 53 Tests, amassing 2,981 runs at an average of 33.87 with a strike rate of 53.07. He has eight centuries and 15 half-centuries to his name, but only one of those centuries has come on Indian soil, back in 2016. This indicates that while Rahul has experience, his form on home pitches has not been exceptional.
Home Stats Comparison: Sarfaraz vs Rahul
Sarfaraz has played all his Tests in India and has consistently performed well. On the other hand, Rahul’s record on Indian pitches shows some gaps. In 20 Tests in India, Rahul has scored 1,149 runs in 32 innings, averaging 39.62 with one century and 10 half-centuries. His performance against New Zealand at home, however, hasn’t been strong, with just 82 runs from four innings at an average of 20.50.
Who Should Play: Sarfaraz or KL Rahul?
Based on current form and recent performances, Sarfaraz Khan seems to be the better option to retain his place in the playing XI for the Pune Test. KL Rahul’s past struggles on Indian pitches, particularly against New Zealand, suggest that it might be time to give Sarfaraz more chances in the Test format.
