AB de Villiers picks between Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar for 2nd India vs England Test

Sarfaraz Khan finally received his maiden India call-up as he was included in the squad for the second Test against England, set to take place at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium at Vizag on Friday, 2 February. Along with Sarfaraz, who has been added to the Test squad following an injury to KL Rahul, India have made two more additions with spinner Sourabh Kumar and all-rounder Washington Sundar. However, at a time when Sarfaraz has already taken to the Mumbai maidans to train after earning his call-up for India, it is yet to be seen if he actually marks his debut in the second Test due to the presence of Rajat Patidar. Notably, Patidar had been also called up before the first Test as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who continues to remain unavailable for the first two games of the five-Test series. However, the 30-year-old was on the bench for the first match with Rahul playing in Kohli’s position. Now with Rahul ruled out due to his injury, the slot will be either filled by Sarfaraz or Patidar. AB de Villiers hopes Sarfaraz Khan gets a chance in India’s second Test Speaking on the same, South African cricket legend AB de Villiers stated that the inclusion of Sarfaraz will be very exciting, considering the Mumbai batter’s extraordinary performance in first-class cricket so far. Speaking on his YouTube channel, De Villiers said, “It is very exciting for me. His record in first-class cricket is outstanding and if there is a guy that deserves it, it’s certainly him. He has played 66 innings, 3912, runs, and an average of 69.85. 14 hundreds and 11 fifties, guys that is not normal.” It is pertinent to note that the former South Africa captain has played with both Sarfaraz and Patidar at the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Amid the confusion regarding whether Patidar or Sarfaraz will considered to play in the second Test, De Villiers who was speaking on the lines of the 26-year-old’s first-class record said, “It is a very big jump to international cricket against England on the big stage. I hope he gets a chance because Patidar has been also playing well.”