Team India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, acknowledged the challenging decision between Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam.
He mentioned that the ultimate decision would rest with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, taking into account the prevailing conditions. Patidar joined the squad for the first two Tests when Virat Kohli withdrew due to personal reasons.
Simultaneously, Sarfaraz received his inaugural national team call-up following the injuries ruling out KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja from the second Test.
During the press conference leading up to the second Test, scheduled for Friday, February 2, Rathour expressed his views on the Sarfaraz vs. Patidar discussion.
“It will be a tough choice. What value they bring to the team, of course, is that they are superb players. We have seen how well they have done in domestic cricket in the last few years,” Rathour was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
“So on these kinds of wickets, I think they can really add a lot of value to the team. If we have to pick just one out of them, of course, it would be tough. But, that decision will be made by Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma. The playing XI will be finalized keeping in mind the conditions,” he added.
Sarfaraz has accumulated 3,912 runs in 45 first-class matches, boasting an average of 69.85, including 14 centuries and 11 half-centuries. In comparison, Patidar has scored 4,000 runs in 55 first-class games, maintaining an average of 45.97, featuring 12 centuries and 22 half-centuries.
“It will turn, maybe not from the first day” – Vikram Rathour views on Visakhapatnam pitch
The pitch for the second Test has generated curiosity, especially after England spinners outperformed their Indian counterparts on a slow turner in Hyderabad. Rathour anticipates the presence of spin in Visakhapatnam but suggested that the surface might not be an excessively turning one.
“It (pitch) is difficult to predict. It will turn, maybe not from the first day, but eventually, it will turn. That’s how the wicket looks like,” the Indian batting coach commented.
The ex-player also minimized the significance of coaching at the international level, emphasizing that it primarily revolves around players adapting and reacting to various situations.
“Once you come to this level, I don’t think you require too much coaching. It’s about reading the situations and making smarter decisions. As long as they are asking the right questions and receiving the right answers, there is no chance of over-coaching,” the former opener concluded.
India trails 1-0 in the five-match series, having suffered a 28-run defeat in the Hyderabad Test despite holding a 190-run lead in the first innings.
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