"Sarfaraz Khan Robbed.."- Twitter slams Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for benching Sarfaraz in the 2nd Test vs England

Contrary to all expectations, Team India have decided against handing a debut to Sarfaraz Khan for the second Test of the ongoing five-match series against England in Vishakhapatnam.

The right-handed batsman earned his maiden call-up from the Test team for the second match of the series after Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out of the match due to injuries. Apart from Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar and Saurabh Kumar were also added to the squad by the national selection committee.

Team India are eyeing a series-leveling win after the dismal defeat in the first Test of the series. The Rohit Sharma-led side ended up losing the Hyderabad Test by 28 runs even after taking a big lead of 190 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, England recovered from 163 for 5 and posted a big total of 420 runs thanks to a stunning knock of 196 from Ollie Pope.

Set a target of 231 runs, India capitulated in a spectacular fashion and were bowled out for just 202. Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who was playing his first Test, blew India away, taking 7 wickets in the second innings to spin England to a famous win.

No debut for Sarfaraz Khan:

Following the defeat in the first Test, India will be desperate to get back to winning ways and draw level in the series. And while they would have liked to be at full strength for the crucial game, they are without some key players. The likes of Rahul, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja are not available for the game.

With Rahul sidelined with an injury and Kohli not available for the game, it was widely expected that Sarfaraz Khan would finally make his much-awaited debut for Team India. The right-handed batsman has scored heavily in domestic cricket in recent years and earned the call-up after impressing for India A against England Lions in the ongoing three-match unofficial Test series.

However, the Indian team-management decided against including Sarfaraz Khan in the playing XI and handed a debut to Rajat Patidar instead. The decision has not gone down well with many. As soon as Rohit Sharma confirmed India’s playing XI at toss, the fans took to social media to criticise the team-management’s decision.

Here are some of the reactions:

Team India Selection is really a debatable one. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer get the backing but is it too much?Only time will tell

Sarfaraz Khan should be picked in the Squad at any cost.Kukdeep Yadav call is a really bold one and I guess this is the first time we have gone… pic.twitter.com/xhlPkoUB0m

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) February 2, 2024

Gill didn't bang a single 50 in his last 11 test but still got chance but
Sarfaraz Khan not getting chance again 💔#SarfarazKhan #IndianCricket #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/3IO3iL7Tl6

— Vns Hiker (@VnsHiker_) February 2, 2024

Rajat Patidar To Debut , No Sarfaraz Khan 😏

Poor Decision Of Leaving Out Sarfaraz 😔 pic.twitter.com/cWkV2EmSUY

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) February 2, 2024

BCCI and their unconditional love for Sarfaraz Khan continues…
He is not making his debut today! pic.twitter.com/TEXi2tSXbj

— Aditi 🌷 (@ewww_aditii) February 2, 2024

My reaction after seen Sarfaraz Khan didn't get chance 2nd Test Cricket Match 🥹.#INDvsENGTest #INDvsENG #SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/lIIEvIPuxu

— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) February 2, 2024