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KL Rahul To Start Ahead Of Sarfaraz Khan In 1st Test Vs Bangladesh: Reports

KL Rahul will start ahead of Sarfaraz in Bangladesh Tests [X]KL Rahul will start ahead of Sarfaraz in Bangladesh Tests [X]

According to emerging reports, experienced cricketer KL Rahul will be preferred over the in-form Sarfaraz Khan for an additional batter's slot in India's playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh. Led by Rohit Sharma, India will face Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series on September 19 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

With Rishabh Pant returning as the wicket-keeper and Shubman Gill picking himself at number three, there is a toss-up between Rahul and Sarfaraz for one available spot in the playing XI. 

As the Men in Blue gear up to get a winning start to the series, reports confirming KL Rahul's participation in the series opener have taken centre stage. According to the Press Trust of India, Rahul will be prioritised over Sarfaraz owing to his experience in the longest format. 

BCCI source confirms KL Rahul's participation in 1st Test vs Bangladesh

A BCCI source heaped praise on Rahul, highlighting his batting exploits on India's South Africa tour as well as in the Duleep Trophy. 

"For people on the outside, they don't understand how a team works and what are the systems in place. In his last three Test matches, KL scored a century in South Africa, one of the best Test knocks in recent times and 86 at Hyderabad in the last Test he played before injury," the source told PTI. 

"He was not dropped but got injured. So, he is fit and available, scored a fifty in Duleep, got match time and he will start," he added. 

Rahul in spotlight as India aim at hattrick series win in Australia

The report also claims that Rahul will get the nod ahead of Sarfaraz as the selectors want him to get some game time before the challenging Test series against Australia. Considering the Karnataka batter's technique, he is expected to play a crucial role for team India in the high-profile series. 

(Inputs from PTI)