Will Sarfaraz Khan be India’s first choice at no. 5 in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25? Will Sarfaraz be able to handle the heat in Australia – A tactical analysis of his batting style.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 approaching, India face a pivotal question—can Sarfaraz Khan, with his prolific domestic record, stand up to the unique challenges of Australia’s fast, bouncy tracks? While Sarfaraz’s recent performances against England and New Zealand showcase his potential, former cricketer Aakash Chopra remains unconvinced about his ability to handle the conditions Down Under, arguing that other players might be better suited for the No. 5 slot.
Strengths in familiar conditions
Sarfaraz Khan’s rise through India’s domestic ranks has been powered by a combination of consistency and technical skill, particularly against spin bowling. Earlier this year, his three fifties in consecutive Tests against England and a gritty 150 against New Zealand highlighted his ability to build an innings, especially on spin-friendly pitches, reinforcing his strength as a middle-order stabilizer.
In Indian conditions, Sarfaraz thrives. His quick footwork and wristy flicks, especially through mid-wicket, allow him to rotate strike against spinners, while his cuts and punches through point maintain pressure on bowlers. His ability to play the ball late is well-suited to Indian pitches, where the ball generally stays low and rewards precise shot placement. However, these skills may not be as effective on Australia’s fast and bouncy tracks, where the conditions call for a different style of play altogether.
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Aakash Chopra’s skepticism
Aakash Chopra has voiced doubts about Sarfaraz’s effectiveness against Australia’s pace-heavy attack. Speaking on the impending selection dilemma, Chopra shared, “If you ask me to pick one between Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul in the playing XI, my vote would go to Rahul.” For Chopra, Rahul’s experience in foreign conditions, coupled with his ability to adjust against pace, gives him an edge over Sarfaraz, whose prowess is largely untested outside the subcontinent.
Chopra’s concerns don’t end there. “Even if you ask me to choose between Sarfaraz and Dhruv Jurel, I would pick Dhruv. I am not sure about Sarfaraz’s playing style,” he added, suggesting that Sarfaraz’s reliance on specific scoring areas might make him vulnerable against Australia’s high-quality seam attack.
KL Rahul has hundreds in Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies where the India batters usually struggle. He has scored a century in Australia on his debut series. But despite a hundred, KL Rahul’s numbers have not been very impressive, having scored only 187 runs in nine innings, averaging only 20.77. On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan are yet to play a Test match outside India.
Sarfaraz’s limited game against pace
One of Sarfaraz’s primary strengths—his ability to score square of the wicket—could prove to be a double-edged sword on Australian soil. He often favours cuts and punches off the back foot, relying heavily on his off-side game, particularly between point and square leg. However, this preference can limit his options against fast bowlers who exploit the extra bounce of Australian pitches.
Sarfaraz’s difficulties against leg-side deliveries from pacers expose a potential weakness. In India, where the ball stays low, he can avoid playing certain leg-side shots, but in Australia, the bounce makes it nearly impossible to ignore these deliveries. Chopra highlighted this issue, observing, “Things will not go in his favour because of the way he scores his runs. He will not get spinners in the series, and the pacers won’t give him that freedom.” This could severely restrict Sarfaraz’s scoring options, especially if Australia bowlers target his tendency to avoid the leg side.
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Australia’s pitches: A different challenge
The pitches in Australia pose a distinct challenge for players accustomed to subcontinental conditions. Unlike Indian surfaces that keep low, Australian tracks, particularly in Perth and Brisbane, offer steep bounce and lateral movement. This dynamic tests a batter’s ability to handle back-of-a-length deliveries and absorb pressure from bowlers who capitalise on the extra bounce. For Sarfaraz, this means adapting his approach to counter short-pitched bowling and off-stump lines that leave little margin for error.
While players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are adept at extracting bounce and testing techniques, they also possess the precision to exploit any chinks in a batter’s armour. Their ability to bowl with accuracy and aggression, combined with Australia’s pace-friendly pitches, could expose Sarfaraz’s game, which has thus far been shaped by spin and low-bounce conditions. Chopra cautioned that Australian pacers would not allow Sarfaraz the room he’s used to in domestic games, adding, “The pacers won’t give him that freedom.”
Ramps are ostentatious shots for most batters; but for Sarfaraz, it is a staple. It’s his signature. Like how the cover drive is Virat Kohli’s. Like how the pull is Rohit Sharma’s. Like how the one-handed loft is Rishabh Pant’s. If we look at his wagon wheel from the recent Bengaluru Test, he scored 96 of his 150 runs behind the wicket. Believe it or not, he had not scored a single run in the “V” in front of the wicket until after his hundred.
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The likely struggle against Australia’s pacers
Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc are formidable, even for seasoned batters, and they’ll likely adopt a relentless approach to challenge Sarfaraz. Cummins’ skill at maintaining a consistent line outside off stump and Hazlewood’s precision with back-of-a-length deliveries could pressure Sarfaraz into a defensive mode, while Starc’s left-arm angle could further unsettle him. With Australia pacers known for inducing errors through disciplined bowling, Sarfaraz’s limited game against rising deliveries might lead to early dismissals.
Chopra’s skepticism extends to the broader question of Sarfaraz’s adaptability, especially in a series where he won’t get the freedom to score off spinners. According to Chopra, Sarfaraz’s square-of-the-wicket shots could make him an easy target. “He will not get spinners in the series,” Chopra noted, highlighting that Sarfaraz’s strengths may not be sustainable against an all-pace attack that forces him to play straighter.
Final thoughts: The road ahead for Sarfaraz in Australia
Sarfaraz Khan’s inclusion in India’s squad is a testament to his hard work and domestic success, yet doubts about his adaptability remain. While he has shown promise against spin and low-bounce bowling, his game against pace-heavy attacks, especially on bouncy tracks, lacks the breadth needed for consistent success in Australia. For Sarfaraz, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 represents both a challenge and an opportunity to prove he can handle the demands of high-level international cricket in varied conditions.
His potential selection for the No. 5 spot comes with a question mark, as both his strengths and weaknesses will be put to the test. Should he secure a place in the playing XI, his performance will likely determine his future role in the Indian squad, especially for overseas tours. As the BGT 2024-25 begins, Sarfaraz faces a defining series—one where adapting his game could be the key to establishing himself as a versatile player for India.
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