Star batter Sarfaraz Khan is likely to be released from India’s Test team ahead of the second match against Bangladesh, scheduled for September 27 at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
Reports from PTI indicate that the 26-year-old missed out on a place in the playing XI for the first Test in Chennai. He is expected to return to play for Mumbai in the upcoming Irani Cup 2024.
Irani Cup Details
This year, the Irani Cup will see Mumbai, the champions of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, face off against the Rest of India (ROI). The match is set to take place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from October 1 to October 5.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Position
While Sarfaraz Khan is still part of India’s Test squad, if he isn’t included in the playing XI for the Kanpur Test, there’s a possibility that the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) may request his release, allowing him to join the Mumbai team for the Irani Cup.
A BCCI source commented, “Sarfaraz is the only specialist middle-order batter in the squad. Dhruv Jurel is a keeper-batsman, and Axar Patel is an all-rounder. If a concussion substitute is needed, it’s important to have Sarfaraz available. However, traveling from Kanpur to Lucknow on September 30 wouldn’t be difficult if the Test ends early.”
Sarfaraz Khan’s Performance Record
To date, Sarfaraz Khan has scored 4,183 runs in 50 first-class matches, boasting an impressive average of 66.39. He has recorded 14 centuries and 14 fifties.
Mumbai’s Changes for the Irani Cup
Ajinkya Rahane will captain Mumbai in the Irani Cup, marking the return of all-rounder Shardul Thakur to first-class cricket after his surgery. However, Mumbai will be without Tushar Deshpande, who is recovering from ankle and knee surgeries.
Additionally, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube will not participate in the Irani Cup as they are scheduled to report to Gwalior on October 3 for India’s T20I series against Bangladesh, starting on October 6.
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