IND vs BAN: Sarfaraz Khan replaced by KL Rahul in India XI for 1st Bangladesh Test, confirms BCCI

India National Cricket Team batter Sarfaraz Khan won't be featuring for the team in the first Test against Bangladesh National Cricket Team. The series between the two teams gets underway on 19th September at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

India squad for the first Test against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team was recently announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Sarfaraz, who made his debut in the England Tests, also was included in the team along with KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel as middle-order batters.

While the positions of every player have been certain in the team, there was going to be a toss-up between Sarfaraz and KL Rahul for the No.5 spot in the team. However, the competition between the two has been ended officially by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as they announced squads for the second round of Duleep Trophy 2024.

The governing body categorically mentioned that Sarfaraz Khan, who has been named in the Indian team for the first Test against Bangladesh, will continue playing in the Duleep Trophy 2024. The right-hander has been part of India B squad and will play the second round, which gets underway on 12th September.

Releasing the official statement about the changes in the India B squad, BCCI stated:

"India B’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have been named in India’s squad and the selectors have named Suyash Prabhudessai and Rinku Singh as replacements respectively. Fast bowler Yash Dayal has received his maiden national call-up while Sarfaraz Khan, who too has been named in India’s squad, will feature in the second-round game."

KL Rahul to play at No.5 in the first Test against Bangladesh as Sarfaraz Khan asked to play Duleep Trophy

With Sarfaraz Khan set to feature in the second round of the Duleep Trophy 2024, it is now confirmed that KL Rahul will be taking the 5th position in the XI. Rahul has been decent in the middle order for India in the longest format of the game and has played a massive role for the team.

He slammed a century while batting in the middle order during the South Africa tour and then after that hit a valiant 86 against England before getting injured. On the other hand, Sarfaraz Khan made vital contributions to the team in the Tests against the Three Lions.

Both Rahul and Sarfaraz played against each other in the Duleep Trophy 2024. The duo made decent contributions for the team but it was Rahul, who was a slight batter. The Karnataka batter came up with a vital half-century and kept his team in the hunt in the second innings. On the other hand, the Mumbai batter slammed quick fire 46 in the second innings, helping his team take a big lead.

The upcoming first Test against Bangladesh will be a massive opportunity for KL Rahul to lock his spot in the team. He would want to make a major impact as the big Australia tour is around the corner and he will be extremely crucial for his Team in those five games.