'He’s got loads of runs in first-class cricket' - Ravi Shastri suggests Sarfaraz Khan as replacement for KL Rahul in WTC Final squad

Sarfaraz Khan has been in sublime form in domestic cricket, boasting a batting average that is only next to Sir Don Bradman and has been knocking on the Indian team’s door for a while now. The Mumbai-born batter has piled up huge runs and has certainly shown that he is someone whom the selectors need to consider in times to come. 

Also, citing this in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Ravi Shastri expressed his view that the services of Sarfaraz Khan could be utilized as he is much like KL Rahul who could even keep wickets as well as bat. The uncapped Mumbai batter has been in terrific form in domestic cricket and has also been looked at as someone who could provide the Indian team with a much-balanced playing 11. 

“You need a second guy like Rahul in the side who can bat and keep," Shastri said. 

"I don’t know how well Sarfaraz keeps. If he can keep it, just in case there’s a concussion injury, then why not. He’s got loads of runs in first-class cricket and just on them, he should walk in the side," he further added.

Notably, ahead of the all-important ICC World Test Championship Final, India has been dented with a huge blow as KL Rahul has suffered an injury in the ongoing IPL 2023. The exclusion of KL Rahul is a massive scare to India’s hope as the star Indian batsman had the experience of playing in English conditions and could even keep wickets which would have helped India in their WTC expedition. While India does have a designated wicketkeeper in KS Bharat, the selectors haven't named an alternative in case Bharat is rendered unavailable.

“Bharat has to play as a keeper now because now, by chance, on current form, if you are looking to play your best five bowlers on current form and two happen to be spinners then you need him, which eventually is a headache for the captain and team management," the veteran Indian all-rounder was recorded as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

'In England, it all depends on weather' - Shastri on role played by weather in WTC Final team composition

He also added that a major part of the team selection in England is actually determined by the weather. He, however, affirmed that irrespective of the conditions, India would need their best wicketkeeper in the side which, in this case, could be Bharat.

“In England, it all depends on the weather. You reach there, there’s bright sunshine a week before the Test and the forecast during the game suggests it’s going to be good, two spinners will have to play. If it’s going to be overcast and cloudy like we found out in Southampton, then you got to think otherwise. So whichever case, with the time period so short, you would need your best wicketkeeper. He’s (Bharat) already in the side," Shastri said.