KL Rahul tipped to start against Bangladesh in Chennai Test
KL Rahul is set to take the field for India's season-opening Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19 in Chennai. Despite Sarfaraz Khan's impressive performance in the home series against England, Rahul's experience seems to be tipping the scales in his favor. The team management and selection committee are reportedly prioritizing experience ahead of the tour of Australia later this year.
Rahul's experience vs Sarfaraz's flamboyance
The selection dilemma for the team management lies between Sarfaraz's youthful exuberance and Rahul's seasoned expertise. Rahul, who has been part of the national set-up for a decade and has even captained in Test cricket, is currently leading the race. His recent Test performances include a century in South Africa and an 86-run knock against England at Hyderabad before an injury sidelined him.
Rahul's return to the field: A matter of fitness
A BCCI source clarified that Rahul was not dropped due to poor performance but had been sidelined due to an injury, according to PTI. Now fit and ready for action, he has already demonstrated his form with a half-century in the Duleep Trophy. This suggests that his return is more about regaining match fitness rather than a question of form.
Sarfaraz's impressive debut and future prospects
Sarfaraz made a strong impression in his debut series against England with twin half-centuries at Rajkot and another one at Dharamsala. His precise footwork and improvisation against both fast and slow bowlers were noteworthy. Despite this, the BCCI source emphasized that "Rahul's experience is irreplaceable" and hinted at his potential inclusion in the squad for Australia if an injury occurs.
Rahul's selection sparks debate and future considerations
Rahul's selection for the first Test against Bangladesh has ignited a debate over who should be on the field when the series begins. Despite an average of less than 35 after 50 Tests, his ability to score big at overseas venues like Sydney, Lord's, Oval, and Centurion keeps him slightly ahead of Sarfaraz. Rahul, who has been an opener for the majority of his Test career, is likely to bat at number five.
Pant vs Jurel: A similar selection scenario
In a similar selection scenario, Rishabh Pant is likely to be preferred over Dhruv Jurel. Despite Jurel's commendable performance in the England series, Pant's exceptional Test record seems to give him an edge. The only slot where there could be some close competition is the third spinner's position between Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Axar Patel
The competition for the third spinner's position is heating up with Kuldeep and Axar in contention. While Patel had a decent showing in the Duleep Trophy first round, Yadav's past success against Bangladesh and his wider range of variations make him a strong contender on good batting tracks. This decision will likely play a significant role in shaping India's bowling strategy for the upcoming series.
