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.
KL Rahul is the incumbent, but Sarfaraz is breathing down his neck
Rahul is one of the most versatile players in India's red-ball team. Having played as an opening batter for the majority of his Test career, he moved into the middle-order during the tour of South Africa in December 2023, and allowed India to play with one extra specialist batter as he was able to take the wicketkeeping gloves, something he does regularly in white-ball cricket.
His first knock in the middle-order saw him score a fantastic 101 in Centurion as India folded for 245. He scored another important 86 against England in Hyderabad, and showcased his attacking range with a 43-ball 68 against Bangladesh in Kanpur earlier this week.
Rahul's experience, combined with a track record littered with important knocks and recent success in his new role, means he has the backing of the team management. Crucially, he has done all this at Test level, while Sarfaraz has not (for no fault of his own, of course). Add to this his ability to keep on occasion and fill in possibly at the top or at No.3 in a pinch, and one can understand why he India would like him to remain as sharp as possible in Test cricket.
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There is every chance that if Sarfaraz were given the chance to play ahead of Rahul, he would perform better. But if it is unfair to keep him out of the side, it would also be unfair to drop Rahul at this point in time.
From an Indian selectors' point of view, he is probably the first back-up batter for positions 4-6. Those are full, and it is hard not to feel for Sarfaraz. He might get the odd chance here and there, in the event that Rahul has a spell of poor form – something that should keep Rahul on his toes, which is a favourable outcome for India in any case.
A consistent run in the side could be over two years away, once Rahul and/or Kohli begin to decline or call it a day in red-ball cricket. It is not in his hands when the chance comes, but Sarfaraz needs to take it when it comes (which, to his credit, he has done so far). But for now, his job is just to bat, and bat, and bat more...
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