‘Sarfaraz Khan doesn’t need an Indian ‘A’ game to play Tests’: Shardul Thakur’s bold claim | Cricket News
Mumbai: While several experts believe Sarfaraz Khan should move higher up the order for Mumbai to improve their chances in India, skipper Shardul Thakur believes no changes are necessary, saying the 28-year-old has always risen to the occasion in “critical situations”. “If you look at his big scores – the 200 and 250 – those innings came when the team had two or three wickets at the start of the innings,” Thakur said on the eve of Mumbai’s Elite Group D Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh at the MCA Ground, BKC, starting on Saturday.
“To play such innings under pressure, you have to have something special in you. He never disappoints and he has done that for years. No matter where he bats for us, I think he will deliver this season.” Thakur also believes that Sarfaraz has already moved beyond the need for an ‘A’ order. “Nowadays, Indian ‘A’ team is used to prepare players for international cricket. But I think Sarfaraz does not need Indian ‘A’ game to play international cricket,” Thakur said. “He played well for us in the Buchi Babu tournament and then got injured. He came back in the Jammu and Kashmir match, looked good but was unlucky to be dropped. For him, I don’t think playing for India ‘A’ is necessary. He can play a Test series straight away.” For now, Mumbai would like their opening batter to focus on the job at hand. Mumbai’s second Ranji match presents an opportunity to assert dominance at home and push for a win against Chhattisgarh.
