Courtesy: BCCI
After a dominant 2-0 series win against Bangladesh, Team India will continue on their road to reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final next year during a three-match Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16. India haven’t made any changes to their squad from last month, and they are expected to go with the same middle order as the Bangladesh Test series. However, two names to look out for in the upcoming series will be KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan.
India opted for KL Rahul over Sarfaraz Khan in the two Tests against Bangladesh. Furthermore, Sarfaraz Khan was later released from the squad during the second Test to participate in the Irani Cup. After failing to score big in the first Test, KL Rahul showed great in the second Test in Kanpur with a quickfire knock of 68(43) runs. On the other hand, Sarfaraz Khan scored a double hundred in the Irani Cup match for Mumbai. However, he hasn’t been a part of the Indian playing XI since the debut Test series against England at the start of the year.
KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan: Who could be India’s first choice for India in 1st Test vs New Zealand?
Both KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan have strengthen the Indian middle-order in their recent Test appearances. KL Rahul brings more experience on the table, and has also performed in tough situations for India in the longest format of the game. He also hit form with a quickfire half-century in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh. Talking about Sarfaraz Khan, he has made a big name in domestic cricket for Mumbai with his consistent performances. He also had an impressive debut for India with half-centuries in both innings of his maiden Test against England in Rajkot at the start of 2024 in absence of KL Rahul.
However, only one player among KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan could be a part of India playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand. The Indian team management has preferred Rahul over Sarfaraz in the recently concluded two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Looking at the current scenario, Sarfaraz Khan might have to wait to get more chances for India as KL Rahul is likely to be a part of the Indian playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
