India is playing New Zealand in the second Test Match at Pune and everyone was curious to know the team’s composition. This had become especially important after India’s shocking loss to New Zealand in the first Test. The last time India lost to New Zealand in 1988, Sachin Tendulkar hadn’t yet made his International debut, so losing to New Zealand on Indian soil is not something India is used to.
In the first match against NZ India’s top order did not perform as per the expectation and the middle order also collapsed in the first inning of the test match. When it seemed India might suffer its worst Test match defeat at home, one man stood up when all hope seemed lost. His name was Sarfaraz Khan. After years of toiling in the domestic cricket he had made his international debut against England in February this year.
Before this test match Sarafarz Khan had played three test matches and had already scored three half centuries, but his place in the playing XI was still not confirmed. He only got to play the match as a replacement for Shubman Gill who missed the first match due to stiff neck.
Sarfaraz Khan made the most of the opportunity that he got and made 150 runs in the second innings. His inning under pressure not only showed Sarfaraz’s talent but also his temperament. When wickets were falling at the other end he stitched a valuable 177-run partnership with Rishab Pant. They both were the reason India surpassed New Zealand’s total and it had to bat again. After their partnership broke KL Rahul came to the crease. A lot was expected from him, but, as is his wont, he disappointed again at a crucial time. The former Vice-Captain has been playing for India for almost 10 years now but seldom has he performed at crux situations. He has always been regarded as a player with great potential but no one knows when this potential will transform into performance. Rahul’s last test hundred came against South Africa in Centurion in 2023. There is no doubt about KL Rahul’s class and technique across formats but runs haven’t come consistently from his bat.
While Sarfaraz seems hungry for runs Rahul’s lack of appetite for big runs is not helping his and his team’s cause. By playing Sarfaraz in the second test India has made the right decision. It has given preference to performance over potential. It seems the team management has also learned from its past mistakes. In 2016, when Karun Nair scored a triple century against England (only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to achieve this feat), he was dropped from the next match as he was a replacement for Ajinkya Rahane. Karun Nair’s confidence took a beating and he was never the same player again.
