Sarfaraz Khan named Sai Sudharsan's replacement for Sri Lanka Tests

Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan, once a Test regular, finds himself sidelined from India's cricket plans despite his stellar domestic form. The 28-year-old batter, an average scorer of 64.73 across 62 first-class matches, has struggled to secure a spot in the national squad. Recently, Sarfaraz posted a cryptic message on Instagram, drawing attention to his situation.

"I may not fit in, but I'll fight with everything I've got," the message read, referencing the 2019 Telugu film Jersey. Despite the post's cryptic nature, it resonated with cricket fans, especially as India prepares to face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series. While the 2019 campaign saw Sarfaraz score a memorable 150 against New Zealand, he has since struggled to replicate that form, managing only 11 runs in subsequent innings.

The omission from the current series has been particularly disappointing, given his outstanding domestic record. Fitness challenges and IPL interruptions have also played a role in his selection woes, though Sarfaraz has since made a comeback, impressing in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings.