‘Sarfaraz Khan had come into the team before him’ – Former India cricketer backs star batter to make debut ahead of Devdutt Padikkal in 3rd Test vs England

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Sarfaraz Khan should play ahead of Devdutt Padikkal in the third Test match, which is slated to take place on February 15 in Rajkot. Notably, Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal are yet to make their Test debut owing to their magnificent form in the first-class game.

However, Aakash Chopra feels that Sarfaraz Khan should be considered ahead of Devdutt Padikkal, as he was called earlier in the squad along with Rajat Patidar, who already got the chance in the Test squad. The well-renowned cricket commentator feels that it is Team India’s management duty to consider Sarfaraz Khan ahead of Devdutt Padikkal owing to the great form he is in.

“Either Sarfaraz or Devdutt Padikkal will make his debut. The simple answer to the question is that it should be Sarfaraz because he has been scoring runs for a very long time. It’s not that Devdutt Padikkal hasn’t been scoring runs for a long time. If you see just this season in isolation, no one is in better form than Devdutt Padikkal. This is the right time to give somebody an opportunity but Sarfaraz had come into the team before him, just like Rajat Patidar had come earlier. You played Patidar then. So you must play Sarfaraz in this match,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

India might not have had such an inexperienced batting in the last 10 years: Aakash Chopra

The former Indian opener feels that India needs much more experience batting in the third Test match against strong visiting sides. In addition, the cricketer-turned-analyst feels that Indian captain Rohit Sharma is the most experienced batter, and opening batter Shubman Gill comes in second.

“India might not have had such an inexperienced batting in the last 10 years. If I talk about the batters, your captain Rohit Sharma has played the most number of Test matches, close to 56 Test matches. Your second-most experienced batter is Shubman Gill,” he added further.