"You will see Sarfaraz playing" - Aakash Chopra backs youngster to play ahead of KL Rahul for 2nd IND vs NZ Test 2024

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra backed Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan to retain his place in the XI ahead of KL Rahul should Shubman Gill return from injury for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, starting Thursday, October 24. Despite an impressive start to his Test career, Sarfaraz warmed the benches during the recent Bangladesh home series before the ongoing New Zealand affair.

However, with Gill ruled out of the first New Zealand Test due to neck stiffness, Sarfaraz was back in the playing XI and took the opportunity with both hands. The 26-year-old scored a magnificent 150 in the second innings as India clawed back into a contest that seemed as good as over at one stage.

Chopra told Sports 18 via India Today:

"You will see Sarfaraz playing. He has scored 150. And KL Rahul, the way he played and the way he got out, I think he will make way. And in Indian cricket, there is another important thing -- the atmosphere is very important. I think the atmosphere is saying play Sarfaraz."

"Yes, Karun Nair made 300 and in the next game, they dropped him. He was playing in Ajinkya Rahane’s spot and when Rahane came back, after scoring 300, he was dropped. It was a Test career that could have been, might have been. He was not able to make a career because he did not get continuity. If you want to go that way, then KL Rahul will play. Sarfaraz has to sit out. I have a feeling that it won’t happen like that," he added.

While Sarfaraz was at his brilliant best in the second innings, KL Rahul endured a match to forget, scoring 0 and 12 in the two innings as India suffered an eight-wicket defeat.

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"I would still play KL Rahul" - Parthiv Patel

Another former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel, however, felt Team India should continue playing KL Rahul in the 11 over Sarfaraz Khan.

With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in mind, the Indian management has stuck with KL Rahul at No.6 despite having the opportunity to play him at No. 3 for Shubman Gill in the first New Zealand Test.

"I would still play KL Rahul. Considering how the team has backed him and their thought process, I believe this. KL Rahul could have batted at No. 3, but the team management made it clear they don’t want to change his batting position. Nothing to take away from Sarfaraz’s knock; he played exceptionally well to score 150. Yes, there will be pressure on KL Rahul, but still, I would go with him," Parthiv said in the same interaction.

It remains to be seen if Gill is fit to start the second Test and which one Rahul and Sarfaraz miss out on when the action gets underway in Pune on Thursday.

The Kiwis won the first Test by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.