‘I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan’ - Kris Srikkanth backs idea of KL Rahul playing ahead of Sarfaraz Khan

26-year-old India batter Sarfaraz Khan has made quite the impression in the longest format. Having played just three Tests so far, Sarfaraz has scored 200 runs with an average of 50 runs across five innings.

However, despite his performances throughout international and domestic cricket, the selection committee made the right call going with KL Rahul, according to former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth.

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recently announced India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. The first Test of the series will be played in Chennai on September 19. It is worth noting that both Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul were named in India’s squad for the Bangladesh Test, but according to Srikkanth, Rahul could play ahead of Sarfaraz in the No. 5 spot. 

"Honestly, I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan. But this happens, at times, in Test cricket. You would have been playing well but when a big player returns, you will have to lose your place. Take for instance, Rishabh Pant is returning because of which Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are losing their places. KL Rahul is coming in,” Kris Srikkanth was quoted as saying by IndiaToday. 

Also Read: IND vs BAN: KL Rahul to feature in playing XI ahead of Sarfaraz Khan

"At the back of the mind, they are also keeping the Australia series. New Zealand are also coming. KL Rahul has performed well overseas, in Australia he has done well," he added.

KL Rahul looked in good form for India against England in the first Test earlier this year but had to miss out on the rest of the series due to an injury. He will be keen on putting up a good show against Bangladesh in the Test series and securing his place in India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. With the first Test starting on September 19, the second test of the series will begin on September 27 in Kanpur.