Ex-India cricketer demands Sarfaraz Khan's BGT snub, endorses these 2 batters

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has raised questions on Sarfaraz Khan's batting technique and feels that the middle-order batter might not succeed in Australia with his unorthodox way of batting.

Chopra feels that KL Rahul or Dhruv Jurel have a better chance to survive on Australian pitches which will have plenty of pace and bounce in it. Rahul was India's preferred choice as a middle order batter during the start of the Test season.

But Sarfaraz's magnificent 150 at Bengaluru against New Zealand gave him an inch over Rahul. As a result, Sarfaraz played in the second and third Tests at Pune and Mumbai. However, the 27-year-old failed to capitalize on his maiden Test hundred and could not score much.

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Aakash Chopra picks KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel over Sarfaraz Khan

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the team management's decision to send KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel early to Australia to play in the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A. Chopra stated that he would choose KL Rahul over Sarfaraz Khan despite the latter having scored 150 recently.

"KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been sent to play in the India A game. In my very humble opinion, if you ask me to do a toss-up even today that you have to play one of KL Rahul and Sarfaraz (Khan) in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sarfaraz scored 150 for sure, give it to him, but I will say go with KL Rahul," Chopra opined.

KL Rahul was dropped after the first Test against New Zealand after poor returns in the match. Sarfaraz grabbed the opportunity and scored a brilliant century in the second innings. It gave India a chance in the game but they lost the game eventually.

The cricketer-turned-commentator even called for Dhruv Jurel to play ahead of Sarfaraz Khan. He raised concerns over Sarfaraz Khan's batting technique for Australian conditions.

"If you tell me that you have to play one of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, assuming one of them can play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, I might still be tempted to go with Dhruv Jurel. My simple reason for that is I am not 100% certain about Sarfaraz's playing style," he added.

Dhruv Jurel had a fantastic start to his Test career and has already shown glimpses of his talent during the Test series against England played earlier this year. However, the wicketkeeper hasn't been given a chance since Rishabh Pant's comeback in the red-ball format.

Aakash Chopra questions Sarfaraz Khan's batting technique

Further elaborating on his opinion, Aakash Chopra added that Sarfaraz Khan won't be facing spin bowling much in Australia and his scoring areas will be affected. He raised question marks over Sarfaraz's technique against fast bowling on quicker pitches.

"I like the kid, I love the kid, I really want him to do well, but I feel it will be a very difficult examination because of the way he scores runs. He will not at all be shown spin there and runs won't be scored in that direction against fast bowling," Chopra explained.

"Rohit Sharma might not be available at all" - Aakash Chopra makes a bold claim

Chopra also reasoned why KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been sent earlier. He claimed that Rohit Sharma's unavailability might prompt the Indian team to play one of them or even both of them in at least one of the Tests.

"That is probably why Rahul and Jurel have been sent, so that they can come in form, and if there is a chance, they should play the first match (Test) itself. You never know, Rohit might not be available at all. He has even said that. I don't know," Chopra observed.

Both KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel are likely to play the second unofficial Test against Australia A and will look to present a strong case for themselves ahead of the Test series. The first Test will be played from November 22 in Perth.