India To Fast Track To Sarfaraz Khan? 3 Reasons He Should Be A Part Of The Champions Trophy 2025
Sarfaraz Khan [Source: @cricbuzz, @Indianactorwiki/x.com]
Sarfaraz Khan has proven his worth in the Indian batting line-up with a dashing hundred in the first Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. His intent and attitude in the innings under pressure might induce the Indian management to consider him in other formats.
India's next big assignment in a multinational tournament is the Champions Trophy 2025. Sarfaraz Khan's consistency and temperament suggest that he should be part of the team that boards the flight for the tournament. Here are three reasons India should consider Sarfaraz Khan for the tournament.
3. Ability to handle spinners effectively
With the Champions Trophy likely to be played in Pakistan or another Asian country, the spinners' role will be crucial. Teams will seek a dynamic batter in the middle order to effectively counter spinners. Sarfaraz Khan has demonstrated his ability to handle spinners, keeping the scoreboard ticking for his team. His positive intent in the middle order will bring dynamism to the team's innings.
2. Positive intent
One major reason India failed to win the ODI World Cup 2024 was the stagnancy in the scoring rate in the middle overs. The Indian middle-order batters could not rotate the strike in the tournament's final, especially after Virat Kohli's departure. It looked like the Indian batters succumbed to pressure and tried to be extra cautious at the stage. Sarfaraz Khan's approach of trying to score runs irrespective of the situation of the match might be helpful for the team if they face such a situation during the tournament.
1. Dexterity against all types of bowling
Sarfaraz Khan has proven his skill as a batter against all types of bowling. While he tackles the spinners with his reverse sweeps, his ability to play behind square on both sides against pacers makes him a complete player. A player with his skillset will add more flexibility, depth and dynamism to the Indian batting order.