Mohammad Azharuddin backs Sarfaraz Khan to make Test debut

Flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav made his Test debut in the first match of the 2022-23 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, he failed to make the most of the opportunity as the Mumbai-born batter was dismissed for only eight runs. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon got the better of him and with that, the discussion regarding his future in Test cricket has once again begun, especially with consistent Sarfaraz Khan on the sidelines.

Notably, the 25-year-old scored 556 runs from six matches in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Batting in the middle order, Sarafaraz played some brilliant cricket and with that, former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin believes that he deserves to play Test cricket but he’s not quite sure about the reason why Khan is not a part of the squad at the moment.

“I’m sure he (Sarfaraz Khan) will get his chance. It’s not as if he won’t get his chance. Honestly, I don’t know what the selectors or the captain have in their minds. He has done so well,” said the 60-year-old while talking to Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, despite not performing well in the first innings, the former cricketer has backed Suryakumar Yadav and stated that he wants to see more of Yadav in Test cricket.

“Suryakumar Yadav has played really well in the Ranji Trophy matches that he had played, so I’m looking forward to seeing him play the Test matches,” Azharuddin added.

India seize control in Nagpur Test

Skipper Rohit Sharma led by example and played some phenomenal cricket on the spin-friendly track of Nagpur. The 35-year-old scored 120 runs while both all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel scored a half-century each to keep India in command. Meanwhile, with the bowl, debutant Todd Murphy has been absolutely sensational. The young off-spinner picked up seven wickets for Australia in the first innings in Nagpur.