Tag: Sarfaraz Khan

  • 3 Players who can Replace Virat Kohli for the First Two Tests against England

    3 Players who can Replace Virat Kohli for the First Two Tests against England

    Star Indian batter Virat Kohli’s decision to opt out of the first two Test matches against England due to personal reasons has created a void in the Indian squad. As the team grapples with the absence of their former captain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce a replacement soon. Kohli, who was the highest run-scorer for India in the recent South Africa series, leaves a significant gap in the Indian batting lineup.  In this article, we will explore three players who could potentially step up and contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming Tests in Kohli’s absence.

    3 Players who can Replace Virat Kohli for the First Two Tests against England

    Here’s a look at three players who could replace Virat Kohli in the upcoming Tests:

    1. Ajinkya Rahane

    3 Players who can Replace Virat Kohli for the First Two Tests against England

    While not a direct replacement for Kohli’s style of play, Ajinkya Rahane brings a wealth of experience to the table. Rahane has been a consistent performer and a reliable pillar in the Indian batting lineup. His recent form, especially in the final of the World Test Championship, where he was the highest run-getter, speaks volumes about his capabilities. The team management might opt for Rahane’s experience to bolster the middle order in Kohli’s absence. Rahane’s resilience and ability to handle pressure situations make him a strong contender for the vacant spot.

    2. Sarfaraz Khan

    3 Players who can Replace Virat Kohli for the First Two Tests against England

    One name that immediately comes to mind is Sarfaraz Khan. The young batter has been consistently knocking on the doors of selection with impressive performances in domestic cricket. His knocks of 96 and 55 for India A against England Lions have certainly caught the selectors’ attention. Sarfaraz’s red-ball prowess is evident in his outstanding averages of 154, 122, and 91 in the last three Ranji Trophy editions. If there’s any player who deserves a chance in the Test team, it’s Sarfaraz Khan, and Kohli’s absence might just provide the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

    3. Cheteshwar Pujara

    3 Players who can Replace Virat Kohli for the First Two Tests against England

    Cheteshwar Pujara may not be in the best form at the international level, but he has been scoring runs consistently in domestic cricket. His recent double hundred against Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy highlights his red-ball prowess. Pujara has been a crucial part of India’s Test batting lineup, and despite recent struggles, the selectors and team management might consider going back to him during Kohli’s absence. Pujara’s ability to anchor the innings and play the role of a sheet anchor could be valuable, especially in home conditions.

    Also Read: Why is Virat Kohli Not Playing in first Two Tests Against England

    India’s Squad for First Two Tests: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan

  • IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals to Part Ways with These 3 Players Ahead of Auction – Reports

    IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals to Part Ways with These 3 Players Ahead of Auction – Reports

    As the IPL 2024 auction draws near, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are making strategic moves to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. In a surprising turn of events, reports suggest that DC has decided to part ways with Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, and Manish Pandey. The decision comes ahead of the IPL 2024 auction scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19. In this article, we delve into the performances of the released players and explore Delhi Capitals’ strategy ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.

    1. Prithvi Shaw

    IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals to Part Ways with These 3 Players Ahead of Auction - Reports

    Despite being one of the most talented and fearless batters, Prithvi Shaw had a lackluster IPL 2023 season. In 8 matches, he managed to score only 106 runs at a disappointing average of 13.25. His overall IPL career statistics include 1694 runs in 71 matches, with an average of 23.9 and a strike rate of 145.8. While Shaw has displayed brilliance in domestic cricket, DC’s decision to release him indicates a focus on reshaping the team dynamics.

    2. Sarfaraz Khan

    IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals to Part Ways with These 3 Players Ahead of Auction - Reports

    Sarfaraz Khan, known for his prolific domestic performances, has struggled to leave a mark in the IPL. The 26-year-old managed to score just 53 runs from four matches in IPL 2023, reflecting an average of 13.25. With 585 runs in 50 IPL matches at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 130.58, Sarfaraz has untapped potential. Delhi Capitals’ decision to release him might pave the way for Sarfaraz to find a new platform and showcase his talent.

    3. Manish Pandey

    IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals to Part Ways with These 3 Players Ahead of Auction - Reports

    A seasoned campaigner, Manish Pandey had a modest IPL 2023 season, scoring 160 runs in ten matches at an average of 17.78. The first Indian to score a hundred in the IPL, Pandey boasts a commendable IPL career with 3808 runs in 170 matches, averaging 29.07 and featuring 22 fifties. However, DC’s decision to release him suggests a strategic move to infuse fresh talent and bring a new dimension to the team.

    Delhi Capitals’ Auction Strategy

    According to reports, Delhi Capitals are not looking to trade the released players for talent from other teams. Instead, the franchise aims to capitalize on the upcoming auction to acquire new and impactful players. The decision to part ways with Shaw, Sarfaraz, and Pandey indicates a strategic shift, with Delhi Capitals keen on injecting fresh blood into their lineup.

    Rishabh Pant’s Return Adds Strength

    IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals to Part Ways with These 3 Players Ahead of Auction - Reports

    While bidding farewell to some players, Delhi Capitals will welcome back their captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, in the upcoming season. Pant’s return adds strength to the team, and his availability for IPL 2024 has been confirmed by DC’s Director of Cricket, Sourav Ganguly. Pant, who survived a car crash in December 2022, is set to resume his role as a key player for Delhi Capitals.

    Also Read: IPL 2024: 3 Players that CSK Might Consider as a Replacement for Ben Stokes

    As Delhi Capitals undergoes a transformation ahead of the IPL 2024 season, the release of Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, and Manish Pandey signals a strategic shift in the team’s composition. The franchise, under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, aims to create a winning combination that can compete fiercely in the upcoming edition. The auction will unveil the new faces that DC adds to its squad, setting the stage for an exciting IPL journey in 2024.

  • Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Sarfaraz Ahmed Ignored, Rizwan Vice Captain

    Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Sarfaraz Ahmed Ignored, Rizwan Vice Captain

    The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 17, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as the hosts. The opening match will be held in Multan on August 30, featuring a clash between Pakistan and Nepal.

    In 2008, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup for the first time. They have claimed victory twice in the tournament, achieving success in 2000 and 2012. The Asia Cup follows a pattern of alternating between One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) matches every two years. For the upcoming Asia Cup in 2023, the games will be contested in the ODI format.

    Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Sarfaraz Ahmed Ignored, Rizwan Vice Captain

    In the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan will host four matches, while Sri Lanka will host the remaining nine matches. The tournament’s opening match is scheduled for August 30, 2023, between Pakistan and Nepal at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.

    As of now, the Pakistani Cricket team holds the second position in the ODI rankings. Their squad comprises several players in excellent form, with the star bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, performing exceptionally well.

    Also read: Asia Cup 2023 Team India Squad: Samson, Gaikwad & Mukesh Kumar to Miss Out

    Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Sarfaraz Ahmed Ignored, Rizwan Vice Captain

    Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk, vc), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir

    Pakistan Playing 11 for Asia Cup 2023

    • Imam-ul-Haq
    • Babar Azam (C)
    • Fakhar Zaman
    • Haris Sohail
    • Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
    • Salman Ali Agha
    • Shadab Khan
    • Mohammad Nawaz
    • Shaheen Shah Afridi
    • Naseem Shah
    • Haris Rauf
  • BCCI Official Claims Sarfaraz Khan Unlikely to Receive National Team Call-Up in Near Future – Reports

    BCCI Official Claims Sarfaraz Khan Unlikely to Receive National Team Call-Up in Near Future – Reports

    Sarfaraz Khan, the promising young Indian batsman, has once again been left out by the senior selection committee for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies. Reports suggest that a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official has made revealing statements regarding Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the squad.

    BCCI Official Claims Sarfaraz Khan Unlikely to Receive National Team Call-Up in Near Future - Reports

    Despite consistently performing well in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz Khan has been overlooked by the selectors for various tours and tournaments, including the Bangladesh tour, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia at home, and the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final.

    The selection committee has not provided any official response or explanation for Sarfaraz Khan’s omission. However, an anonymous BCCI official, speaking to the news agency PTI, indicated that the young batsman may not be considered for the Indian team in the near future.

    Also Read: Shreyas Iyer Replacement: Who Can Replace Iyer in Asia Cup and ICC ODI World Cup 2023?

    “Just think about it. Why was Sarfaraz not even among the reserves for the World Test Championship? Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal were the two reserves after Ruturaj pulled out due to his marriage,” the official explained.

    The selectors opted for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has a first-class average of 42.19, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with an average of 80.21 in first-class cricket but limited experience with only 15 games. This decision has raised questions and sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts.

    Also Read: ‘Blaming a Single Captain is Unfair’ – Ravi Shastri Criticizes Sourav Ganguly-Led BCCI for Stripping Virat Kohli of Captaincy

    According to a PTI report, Sarfaraz Khan currently ranks lower in the pecking order for the Indian Test team. The report suggests that Ajinkya Rahane will play at No. 5, and Ruturaj Gaikwad has been selected as the reserve middle-order batsman who can also be used as a floater.

    Shreyas Iyer, currently recovering from a back injury, is expected to be considered for selection once he regains fitness. Suryakumar Yadav is ahead of Sarfaraz in the pecking order. Suryakumar is set to represent the West Zone team in the upcoming edition of the Duleep Trophy.

    BCCI Official Claims Sarfaraz Khan Unlikely to Receive National Team Call-Up in Near Future - Reports

    The 25-year-old Sarfaraz Khan delivered impressive performances in recent seasons, scoring 928 runs in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, 982 runs in the 2021-22 season, and 556 runs in the 2022-23 season. He has amassed 3,505 runs in 37 first-class matches at an exceptional average of 79.65, which is the highest for an Indian batsman (minimum 50 innings).

  • Former Players Demand Overhaul of Selection Process, Calls to End Ranji Trophy Amid Controversial Picks for WI Tour

    Former Players Demand Overhaul of Selection Process, Calls to End Ranji Trophy Amid Controversial Picks for WI Tour

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced criticism from former players after announcing the Test squad for the upcoming series against West Indies, scheduled to begin on July 12. The selection choices raised eyebrows, particularly the exclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his proficiency in red-ball cricket, following a lackluster performance in the World Test Championship final.

    Sarfaraz Khan

    Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, received call-ups. However, as soon as the squad was unveiled, fans and former players voiced their dissatisfaction, accusing the selectors of prioritizing IPL performances over achievements in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic tournament.

    Adding to the chorus of discontent, Abhinav Mukund, a former Test opener for India, echoed the sentiments of fans and criticized the selectors. Mukund, who represented the country in seven Test matches and last played in 2017, sarcastically questioned the value of domestic cricket when the IPL seemingly offers a faster route to national selection.

    Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Sanjay Manjrekar Suggests Ishan Kishan as Potential Replacement for Injured KL Rahul in ODIs

    “Unable to comprehend these selections—too many thoughts in my head to fit into a tweet. But what motivation does a young player have to take pride in representing his state anymore? The franchise system appears to be a quicker path to success,” tweeted Abhinav.

    His remarks indirectly referred to the omission of Sarfaraz Khan, a 25-year-old batsman with an impressive domestic average of 80, who failed to secure a place in the team.

    Sunil Gavaskar, a renowned former Indian cricketer, previously called for the discontinuation of the Ranji Trophy, citing the neglect of top performers like Sarfaraz. Aakash Chopra, another former player, also criticized the BCCI and its selectors for their decisions.

    Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Ahmed Shehzad Raises Doubts on India’s Bowling Attack, Questions Absence of a Threatening Bowler

    The controversy surrounding the selection process highlights the discontent among former players and fans, who believe that changes are necessary in domestic cricket to ensure that deserving players are given opportunities at the international level.

  • WTC Final 2023: The BCCI names Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ishan Kishan as standby players for the WTC Final

    WTC Final 2023: The BCCI names Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ishan Kishan as standby players for the WTC Final

    The BCCI has named Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, & Ishan Kishan as standby players for the WTC Final. While Gaikwad and Sarfaraz have been named as specialist batters, Kishan has been named as a wicketkeeper-batter. BCCI have also named Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar as standby bowlers for the summit clash against Australia. 

    Just a few days back the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for the World Test Championship 2021-23 final on Tuesday, April 25. Rohit Sharma will lead the side against Australia in the WTC final, which will be played from June 7 to 11 at the Oval in London.

    Also read: CWC: Kane Williamson likely to be NZ’s ‘Mentor’ in the tournament; Head Coach refuses to rule him out of the World Cup as a player

    INDIA SQUAD FOR WTC FINAL:

    Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

    As per latest reports, Head coach Rahul Dravid, coaching staff, and the ousted players from IPL Playoffs will leave for England on May 23.

    “Rahul will leave for London in the last week of May, around May 23-24. Players will leave after their IPL commitments. Some of the guys will leave with Dravid as their IPL campaign will be over,” a BCCI official said. 

  • IPL 2023: List of Injured and Replaced Players- Bracwell, Magala and Others Who Have Joined as Replacements of Bairstow, Bumrah, Pant and More

    IPL 2023: List of Injured and Replaced Players- Bracwell, Magala and Others Who Have Joined as Replacements of Bairstow, Bumrah, Pant and More

    IPL 2023 is being termed the Injury Premier League 2023, as many of the stars from across the world are going to miss the tournament due to injuries. Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Josh Hazlewood, Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Mukesh Choudhary and other players were injured and have been either replaced by their teams or waited to join their squads after their injuries heal. Here we have covered all the replacements and injured players of IPL 2023.

    IPL 2023: List of Injured and Replaced Players- Bracwell, Magala and Others Who Have Joined as Replacements of Bairstow, Bumrah, Pant and More

    IPL 2023: List of Injured and Replaced Players- Bracwell, Magala and Others Who Have Joined as Replacements of Bairstow, Bumrah, Pant and More

    Injured PlayerIPL TeamReplacement
    Shreyas IyerKKRNo Replacement Chosen, Expected to Miss the Entire Season
    Jasprit BumrahMINo Replacement Announced Till Now
    Rishabh PantDCNo Replacement Announced Till Now
    Jhye RichardsonMINo Replacement Announced Till Now
    Kyle JamiesonCSKSisanda Magala
    Prasidh KrishnaRRSandeep Sharma
    Sarfaraz KhanDCNo Replacement Chosen, Expected to Join DC in the Middle of the Tournament
    Anrich Nortje DCNo Replacement Announced, Expected to Recover and Join DC after a Few Matches
    Jonny BairstowPBKSMatthew Short
    Will JacksRCBMichael Bracewell
    Obed McCoyRRNo Replacement Announced Till Now
    Josh Hazlewood RCBNo Replacement Announced, Expected to Join RCB after a Few Matches
    Mukesh ChoudharyCSKNo Replacement Announced Till Now
    Mohsin KhanLSGNo Replacement Announced Till Now
    Rajat PatidarRCBNo Replacement Announced, Expected to Recover Soon

    Also read: IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings: All Injury Updates/Players To Miss The Match

    Wayne Parnell, Sheldon Jackson, Dinesh Bana, Dasun Shanaka, Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, Tom Banton and many more players from around the world are in contention to replace the injured players in IPL 2023. All will become clear before the start of the tournament.

    IPL 2023 will begin with a match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings on 31st March 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The tournament will return to its home and away format this year after the pandemic. A total of 74 matches are going to be played, and the ten teams are divided into two groups. IPL 2023 final is expected to be played on 28th May 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

  • IPL 2023: 3 Best Replacements for Sarfaraz Khan for Delhi Capitals

    IPL 2023: 3 Best Replacements for Sarfaraz Khan for Delhi Capitals

    It was recently reported that Sarfaraz could end up missing the IPl 2023 due to an injury. Delhi Capitals are in huge trouble as they have already lost their best wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant due to an unfortunate injury, and now an injury to Sarfaraz Khan is the worst nightmare that they could have imagined.

    IPL 2023: 3 Best Replacements for Sarfaraz Khan for Delhi Capitals

    IPL 2023: 3 Best Replacements for Sarfaraz Khan for Delhi Capitals

    1- Luvinth Sisodia

    Karnataka’s Luvnith Sisodia was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last season but was surprisingly released into the IPL 2023 auction. He had no takers when his name came up for bidding in Kochi. Much like Sarfaraz, Sisodia is a hard-hitting batter who keeps wickets. 

    Also read: IPL 2023: Axar Patel to Replace Rishabh Pant at Number 4 for Delhi Capitals

    2- Dinesh Bana

    It was rather surprising that Dinesh Bana, who hit the winning runs for India at the U19 World Cup last year, went unsold at the auction. He can be a good replacement for Sarfaraz Khan in IPL 2023.  

    3- Sheldon Jackson

    Saurashtra’s Sheldon Jackson remains a prolific run-getter in the domestic circuit. His lightning-quick reflexes for the Kolkata Knight Riders last year even earned the praise of the great Sachin Tendulkar, who likened him to MS Dhoni behind the wickets.

  • Twitter slams BCCI for retaining KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav and ignoring Sarfaraz Khan for the remaining Tests against Australia

    Twitter slams BCCI for retaining KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav and ignoring Sarfaraz Khan for the remaining Tests against Australia

    BCCI on Sunday named the squad for the final two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is exactly similar to what they announced for the first two matches. However, moments after the squad revelation, the selection committee was attacked by thousands of fans on social media for retaining KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav while continuing to ignore Sarfaraz Khan amid his run-scoring spree in domestic cricket. 

    Also read: IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja follows Nathan Lyon on Instagram for a day; Know the hilarious reason behind this

    Here is how Twitter reacted to BCCI’s squad announcement for 3rd and 4th Tests against Australia:

    Team India beat Australia by 6 wickets in the 2nd Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the fourth successive time with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the contest.

  • IND vs AUS Test: 3 domestic cricketers who deserved a chance in place of Suryakumar Yadav

    IND vs AUS Test: 3 domestic cricketers who deserved a chance in place of Suryakumar Yadav

    There is no T20I batsman better than Suryakumar Yadav at this moment. However, the 360° batsman has failed to keep up the same form in the 50-over as well as in the longest format of the game.

    In his debut innings in the 1st Test against Australia in Nagpur, Suryakumar Yadav failed to score big and gave his wicket to Nathan Lyon at a score of just 8 runs.

    Here are 3 batsmen who have had an impressive run in domestic cricket and deserve a chance in place of Suryakumar Yadav in the longest format of the game against Australia.

    Also read: “Nahi Hai Bhai Yeh Test Cricket ka Player Suryakumar Yadav,” Twitter Reacts, Demands Shubman Gill in the Test Team

    1. Sarfaraz Khan

    No other batter has dominated the Ranji Trophy as Sarfaraz has. He averages over 100 in the tournament for a third season running. He scored over 900 runs in the last two seasons and has also amassed 431 runs this year, including two centuries and a half-century. So no doubt he very close to getting a chance in the Indian Test team, and could even replace Suryakumar Yadav in the remaining two Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

    2. Mayank Agarwal

    Mayank Agarwal was a regular member in the Indian Test team at the opening spot. However, the batsman also has the ability to perform consistently at the middle. Mayank Agarwal scored 990 runs in the Ranji Trophy season with two double-hundreds. He made a fighting 249 in the semi-finals but could not take his team through. 

    3. Prithvi Shaw

    Prithvi Shaw got a chance at the international level at a very young age. However, he failed to retain his place in the team for a long time. He recently made his comeback in the team in the T20I series against New Zealand this year after he slammed a record-breaking 379 off just 382 balls in the Ranji Trophy. The player could play destructively at the middle just what Rishabh Pant used to do.