Former India cricketers opines Sarfaraz Khan hasn't scored against big teams in FC cricket

Uncapped India player Sarfaraz Khan has gotten his maiden call-up for the team ahead of the second Test against England. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out due to injuries. Apart from Khan, Washington Sundar, and Saurabh Kumar have also been added. Ahead of the game, there has been a debate about whether to go with Rajat Patidar (Virat Kohli's replacement) or Khan in the second Test as the batter.

Meanwhile, ahead of the game, former India wicketkeeper batter Deep Dasgupta has raised a question about Khan's truckloads of runs in the First Class Cricket. The former India stumper said that even though Khan has scored a lot of runs in the last few seasons and recently against England A, there is a need to look at what sort of opposition he faced in First Class Cricket

"Credit to him that he has been in good form for the last two to three years. He scored runs recently against England A as well. He was performing consistently but there were two questions.

"The biggest question was in place of whom. We say very easily that this or that player should be there but only 11 can play and the squad can have only 15 or 16. Secondly, there was also this question and I have heard it from a few people that where are the runs in big matches," Dasgupta said in a video on his YouTube channel.

The quality of runs is also important: Deep Dasgupta

The cricketer-turned commentator added that the quality of FC cricket isn't up to the mark as 37 teams play in the Ranji Trophy, combining elite and Plate groups.

"When people talk about first-class cricket, with all due respect, you have 37 teams. You are also playing against some very average teams. I shouldn't be saying this, it will be disrespectful to some of the teams, but the quality of runs is also important. I am not saying this against Sarfaraz."

"At times, the selectors and team management have to be convinced about you as a player and you as a talent. For example, Shubman Gill vs Sarfaraz Khan, do you think both of them will get the same number of chances?"

"No, they won't. It is very normal or natural because you see more potential in one. So you give chances based on potential. It becomes very important that the team management, selectors, and captain trust your potential, about what you can do," he asserted.