Be clear with Sarfaraz: Gambhir, Agarkar get crucial message before Sri Lanka Tests

Sri Lanka vs India: R Ashwin has urged India to clearly define Sarfaraz Khan's role before the Sri Lanka Tests. He also backed Dhruv Jurel to stay ahead in the queue and stressed transparent communication.Sarfaraz Khan trained with the Indian team in Galle on Thursday (PTI Photo)Former India off-spinner R Ashwin urged the team management and selectors to offer Sarfaraz Khan clarity over his role in the Test team, to which he has returned after nearly two years. Sarfaraz is part of a Shubman Gill-led Test side that is preparing for a two-match Test series, starting August 15 in Galle.Sarfaraz was brought back into the squad as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan, who was ruled out of the series due to injury. The Mumbai batter returned to the Test squad for the first time since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2024-25 season.However, Ashwin said Sarfaraz needs to wait for his opportunity and backed Dhruv Jurel to retain his place in the side despite a dip in form in the recent past, urging the team management to honour the pecking order."Dhruv Jurel," Ashwin said when asked to pick between the wicketkeeper-batter and Dhruv Jurel in the XI. "You have brought back Sarfaraz Khan. He has come in place of Sai Sudharsan as an injury replacement. That's one," he said.Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a hundred in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI at the NCC Ground, is expected to replace Sudharsan in the XI at No. 3. A few have argued that Sarfaraz, who is known for his ability to be proactive and innovative against spin, could come in handy in Sri Lanka ahead of Dhruv, who has been troubled by spin in the past – five of his last seven dismissals have come against spin.SARFARAZ SUBCONTINENT SPECIALIST?However, Ashwin said the team management should ensure Sarfaraz knows where he stands in the Test team in terms of his role."And I think clear messaging to Sarfaraz Khan is also important. If someone feels, Sarfaraz can be suspect in some conditions, then you have to give him clarity 'Sarfaraz, you will get an opportunity to serve the team in subcontinent conditions'. So, you don't waste Sarfaraz's time and focus on improving himself. He can become the King of the subcontinent, become a good player of spin," Ashwin said."You need to keep the communication clear. You need to give him chances. If you think he is suspect, he needs to be told."Across the globe, people have specialists based on conditions. Take Australia, Australia have Peter Handscomb for subcontinent conditions. Usman Khawaja was brought back into the team to tackle spin, and he went on to become a regular opener."Sarfaraz played six Tests in 2024, the year in which he made his debut. He scored 371 runs, including a hundred. Incidentally, all of his appearances came in India.It was understandable, as Sarfaraz broke into the Test team on the back of heavy scoring in the Ranji Trophy. However, there were reports that Sarfaraz was suspect against short-pitched bowling. There were also rumours of disciplinary issues with the Mumbai batter as he was overlooked for Test selection despite strong numbers in domestic cricket last season.- EndsPublished By: Akshay RameshPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 20:59 IST