'I Know Why Sarfaraz Khan Wasn't Picked' - Brad Hogg Tips Huge Insight

image-ljdwywj1Sarfaraz Khan represents Mumbai at the domestic level | Source: Twitter 

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg sheds light on why Sarfaraz Khan missed out on a place in India's Test squad for the West Indies series. Hogg pointed out that Sarfaraz Khan's batting position clashes with the existing lineup of Kohli, Rahane, and Jadeja at No. 4, 5, and 6 in the Indian Test team. 

Furthermore, India already have two wicket-keeping options in KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan. 

Hogg also highlighted another factor behind Sarfaraz Khan's omission, stating his inability to translate his Ranji Trophy success into the Indian Premier League (IPL), especially against top-class pacers. 


Speaking on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg said:

"Sarfaraz Khan has been sensational in the Ranji Trophy. Why is he not in this squad? I know why Sarfaraz Khan wasn't picked and is not looked out of the India lineup right now at Test level. One - he bats in the middle order for his state team that’s five or six. Also, in the IPL if you look at his record against good-quality high pace bowling, it’s not that good. I think this is where the Indian selectors are a little bit shy with Sarfaraz Khan. If he can improve that in the next IPL then I’m sure he’s going to have a long career for India at Test level."

For the unversed, Sarfaraz has once again been excluded from the Indian team selection, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad have received their first-ever Test call-ups for the upcoming West Indies tour. 


India want to go with youngsters: Hogg on Pujara

The former Australian spinner also opened up on Cheteshwar Pujara’s exclusion from the squad, stating that the Saurashtra batter was dropped solely for West Indies Tests because of his style of play in the ongoing era, where even Test cricket is being played at paced format. 

"I think it’s got nothing to do with his performance. He’s been one of the best number 3’s over the last decade. All it’s got to do with his strike rate. I think the Indian selectors want to go with youth, with more aggressive batting at the top of the order now. If you look at Pujara’s strike rate early on in his career, it was around the mid-40s, the last two years have been around 37. That’s not good enough when you want to entertain the fans and England have shown that there’s been a bit of a revamp with the Bazball and people are loving the way that they’re going about it." 

Despite a successful season at Sussex, during which he notched up three centuries, Cheteshwar Pujara struggled in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, managing scores of 14 and 27. 

According to reports, the Indian selectors have decided to look beyond Pujara and give the younger players opportunities.