‘Sarfaraz Khan doesn’t need an India ‘A’ game to play Tests’: Shardul Thakur’s bold claim | Cricket News
Mumbai: While several experts believe Sarfaraz Khan should bat higher up the order for Mumbai to improve his India chances, skipper Shardul Thakur feels there’s no need for any change, saying the 28-year-old has always delivered in “crunch situations.”“If you look at his big scores — the 200s and 250s — those innings have come when the team was two or three wickets down early in the innings,” Thakur said on the eve of Mumbai’s Elite Group D Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh at the MCA Ground, BKC, starting Saturday.
“To play such innings under pressure, you must have something special inside you. He never disappoints and has done it for years. Regardless of where he bats for us, I think he will deliver this season.”Thakur also believes Sarfaraz has already outgrown the need for an ‘A’ call-up.“Nowadays, the India ‘A’ side is used to prepare players for international cricket. But I think Sarfaraz doesn’t need an India ‘A’ game to play international cricket,” Thakur said.“He performed well for us in the Buchi Babu tournament, then got injured. He came back during the Jammu & Kashmir game, looked good but was unfortunate to get run out. For him, I don’t think playing for India ‘A’ is necessary. He can straightaway play a Test series.”For now, Mumbai would want their premier batter to focus on the job at hand. Mumbai’s second Ranji match presents an opportunity to assert home dominance and push for a win against Chhattisgarh.
