As the anticipation builds for the second Test between India and England in Visakhapatnam, cricket enthusiasts are eager to see who will step up to fill the void left by the injured KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. The spotlight is on Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar as potential replacements for Rahul, and legendary South African batter AB de Villiers has weighed in on the matter.
De Villiers, known for his 360° cricket, expressed his excitement about Sarfaraz Khan’s potential inclusion in the playing XI. Citing Sarfaraz’s outstanding first-class record, de Villiers highlighted the batsman’s remarkable achievements. With 3912 runs in 66 innings at an average of 69.85, including 14 centuries and 11 fifties, Sarfaraz’s statistics have caught the attention of the former South Africa captain.
“He deserves it,” de Villiers declared on his YouTube channel, emphasizing Sarfaraz’s consistency and prolific run-scoring in domestic cricket. The batsman has been a force to be reckoned with in the Ranji Trophy since 2019, amassing 928 runs in the 2019-20 season alone, showcasing a stellar average of 154.66 with three centuries and two fifties.
De Villiers acknowledged the significant leap from domestic cricket to the international stage but expressed hope that Sarfaraz gets the opportunity against England. He noted that while Rajat Patidar has been performing well, Sarfaraz’s exceptional first-class record makes a strong case for his selection.
With 982 runs at an average of 122.75 and 556 runs at an average of 92.66 in the subsequent seasons, Sarfaraz has consistently showcased his batting prowess. De Villiers believes that the upcoming Test against England is the perfect stage for Sarfaraz Khan to make his mark on the international scene.
As Indian fans eagerly await the official playing XI announcement, all eyes will be on whether Sarfaraz Khan gets the nod to showcase his talent and fulfill the expectations set by his stellar domestic performances.