KL Rahul has become a middle-order batter for India in Tests and occasional wicket-keeper in absence of Rishabh Pant. Now, KS Bharat and Jurel are getting opportunities to prove their skills. KL Rahul has been given enough chances and opportunities to grow within himself. He is now one of the relied star cricketers for Indian Cricket as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could bow out in few years.
KL Rahul needed to do well in Tests as he is replacing Ajinkya Rahane. Shubman Gill scored a century in Vizag Test and gave himself more opportunities to become another Cheteswar Pujara or replace Rohit Sharma, as opener, when he eventually retires. KL Rahul has accepted his role as middle-order batter in ODIs and Tests, as well. He might find same role to play in T20Is as well but there are more stars.
He has not been cleared to play in the third Test and he will be missing Rajkot Test as well. Now, India need to play Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan in this test. As Sarfaraz has been able to score tons of runs in Ranji trophies, team management could look at playing him as Ravindra Jadeja is cleared to play. India needs to choose one between Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
Ravichadran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Japsrit Bumrah are certain to bowl at Rajkot. If Indian management decide to go with KS Bharat and Axar Patel, they have two positions to fill. With Shreyas Iyer being dropped, Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan can accept to be part of the final XI, if Washington Sundar is not preferred over Khan or Patidar to give an extra bowling option at Rajkot.
Devdutt Padikkal has been selected to replace KL Rahul in the squad and he can be preferred over Patidar or Sarfaraz, just to give another left-hander option in the middle-order dominated by right-handers. We have to wait and see, which way Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma go ahead on 15th Feb at Rajkot. But it would be great to see Sarfaraz finally get his chance if fairytales do happen in real life.
Rachin Ravindra showcases his bowling prowess against South Africa