Sarfaraz Khan has scaled immense batting peaks in first-class cricket. But here is why a spot for him in India's Test side could remain hard to come by for some time.
On Wednesday (October 2), Sarfaraz added another feather to his bulging cap of cricketing achievements, notching up a double hundred for Mumbai against Rest of India in the Irani Trophy. Beginning day two on 54, Sarfaraz batted the entire day to record his 15th century, and fourth score of 200 or more in first-class cricket.
At the time of writing, Sarfaraz's first-class batting average stands at nearly 70, a staggering record which is bettered by only two players in the history of the game – Don Bradman and Vijay Merchant.
Sarfaraz has also not been found wanting in dramatic fashion at the Test level. He scored a 66-ball 62 in his first innings before being run out, and averages exactly 50 across his five innings for India.
In any other world and for any other team, such a player would be a seemingly automatic selection in their nation's Test side. But this is not the case for Sarfaraz yet, who has played just three Test matches and could be set to wait a bit longer for an extended run in the side.
Also read: Sarfaraz Khan scores Irani Cup double ton two days after carrying drinks in Kanpur Test
Why is an Indian Test spot hard to come by for Sarfaraz Khan?
On the evidence he has provided so far, there is very little in his own record that prevents Sarfaraz from being called up to the Indian team. Rather, the issue is one of availability, and it is the competition that sees him involved with the national team in such a limited capacity.
Sarfaraz's first-class debut came in 2014, right around the time India's middle-order began to settle with Cheteshwar Pujara at No.3, Virat Kohli at No.4 and Ajinkya Rahane at No.5. With all of them performing to a solid level for most of the rest of the decade, openings have been hard to come by for those who perform the same roles in domestic cricket.
That block of three is beginning to come apart a bit now, though. Kohli remains a fixture in the side, but India appear to have moved on from both Pujara and Rahane. Shubman Gill as occupied the No.3 slot for now. From Sarfaraz's point of view, Pujara being moved on is not quite relevant, given that he bats between No.4 and No.6. Until Kohli retires from Test cricket, there is little chance of anyone dislodging him from No.4.
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This means Sarfaraz's main route to the Indian team is the No.5 or No.6 spot, one of which will always go to India's wicketkeeper (in most cases, Rishabh Pant) as they have two all-rounders at No.7 and No.8 in the form of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Indeed, this was where Sarfaraz wedged his way into Test cricket during the home series against England earlier this year. He batted at No.6 four times as Ravindra Jadeja was sent ahead of him thrice, and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav once. The other time, he batted at No.5.
He made the playing XI after injuries to Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, and the latter is perhaps the biggest reason why Sarfaraz may have to wait for a go in the Indian Test setup.
