Why is Sarfaraz Khan not playing first SL vs IND 1st Test?
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Sarfaraz Khan was named in the India squad as replacement for Sai Sudharsan.
The Indian Cricket Team have started their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle with plenty of attention on the new-look Test side. The series is important for both teams as they continue their campaign in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.
India are currently fifth in the ICC WTC standings, while Sri Lanka are sixth, making every match important for their hopes of reaching the final. The first Test is also a special one for India as they are playing their 600th Test match.
Shubman Gill, who is leading the side, won the toss in Galle and decided to bat first, with India expecting the pitch to offer batting conditions early in the game. India have gone with five bowlers for the opening Test, including two pacers and three spinners.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings, while Gill, Devdutt Padikkal and Rishabh Pant form the middle order. Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna complete the XI.
Why did Sarfaraz Khan miss first SL vs IND Test?
Sarfaraz Khan returned to the Indian Test squad after a long time, but he has not been picked in the XI for the first Test in Galle. His return came after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out due to injury, giving him another opportunity to make his place in the Test side.
However, India’s team management decided to continue with Dhruv Jurel instead. Jurel had a difficult warm-up match, scoring only 1 and 17, but the team has still backed him for the opening Test.
Another major reason is the team combination. Devdutt Padikkal scored a century in the warm-up game and earned his place at No.3. This means there was no clear spot available for Sarfaraz in the top order.
What did Ravichandran Ashwin say about Sarfaraz?
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Sarfaraz needs a clear message from the team management about his role.
“I’ve said it before, for Sarfaraz Khan too, messaging is very important. If someone thinks Sarfaraz Khan can be suspect in some conditions, then you need to give him clarity,” Ashwin said.
Why is Sarfaraz Khan not playing in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka?
Sarfaraz Khan has not been included in India’s Playing XI for the first Test in Galle. India have backed Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal in the current team combination.
Can Sarfaraz Khan play the second Test against Sri Lanka?
Yes. India are playing a two-match Test series, so Sarfaraz Khan can still get an opportunity if the team management decides to change the combination for the second Test.
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Amit Patel is a passionate sports enthusiast and a devoted Virat Kohli admirer who proudly supports Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having been involved in sports from a young age, he has played chess at the district level and represented his college in various competitions. Amit closely follows Indian cricket, with a special interest in tracking young talents and rising stars making their mark at the highest level. Alongside his love for the game, he is an experienced sports content writer who enjoys crafting stories that connect with fans.