Cricket

KL Rahul's Time Running Out as Sarfaraz Khan's Form Mounts PressureAhead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the Indian team faced a crucial decision: whether to retain out-of-form KL Rahul or select in-form Sarfaraz Khan. After India's loss in the opening Test, the debate intensified, with many experts calling for Sarfaraz's inclusion.At the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma ended the speculation by opting for Sarfaraz over Rahul. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes it's a sign that time is running out for Rahul."Of course, the pressure is building because of his form," Chopra said. "He hasn't really been very good in the last 8 or 10 Test matches. That's also a fact. So, time is running out."Chopra highlighted that Sarfaraz's consistent run-scoring has increased the pressure on Rahul. Since his debut against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has played four Tests, scoring 350 runs at an impressive average of 58.33, including three half-centuries and a century."Sarfaraz has already scored 150 in the last Test match," Chopra said. "That pressure is also there on KL Rahul. The team also knows that KL Rahul is basically an opener, but he has been pushed up and down the order way too many times. It is not fair for someone to always be in the line of fire and asked to adjust."Chopra emphasized that while the team is still backing Rahul, ultimately, it's about scoring runs. "There will be pressure on KL Rahul now. There's no doubt about it," he said.Rahul's struggles in red-ball cricket have been well-documented. In his last 10 Test matches, he has averaged just 26.70, with only one half-century. His poor form has raised questions about his place in the team, especially with Sarfaraz knocking on the door.The second Test in Pune will be a crucial one for Rahul. If he fails to perform, it could spell the end of his Test career. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the Indian team.

KL Rahul's Experience Trumps Sarfaraz Khan's Form for India's No. 5 SpotFormer Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has advocated for KL Rahul to retain his position as India's No. 5 batsman in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, despite Sarfaraz Khan's impressive performances earlier this year.Rahul missed the majority of the England Test series due to injury, allowing Sarfaraz to step in and score 200 runs at an average of 50. However, Srikkanth believes Rahul's experience and overseas success make him the better choice for the No. 5 spot."Honestly, I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. "But this happens, at times, in Test cricket. You would have been playing well, but when a big player returns, you will have to lose your place."Srikkanth also highlighted the upcoming Australia series, where Rahul's experience in overseas conditions will be crucial. "At the back of the mind, they are also keeping the Australia series. New Zealand are also coming. KL Rahul has performed well overseas, in Australia he has done well," he added.Rahul's recent scores of 37 and 57 in the Duleep Trophy further strengthen his case for selection. Meanwhile, India's top four are set with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, while Rishabh Pant is expected to bat at No. 6 as the wicketkeeper.Sarfaraz's recent Duleep Trophy performance, where he scored 9 and 46, poses a tough decision for the selectors ahead of the Bangladesh series. However, Srikkanth's comments suggest that Rahul is the frontrunner for the No. 5 spot.The Indian team aims to present their strongest team in this series and future tours against New Zealand and Australia. Rahul's experience and overseas success make him a valuable asset to the team, and he is likely to retain his place in the batting order for the first Test against Bangladesh.