"Those hands are very low" - Brad Hogg highlights technical flaw that could trouble Sarfaraz Khan in Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia
Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that Team India's middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan should make a few changes to his technique for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, beginning November 22 in Perth. Sarfaraz played a splendid knock in the Men in Blue's recently concluded Test series opener against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
The 27-year-old was dismissed for a duck in the first innings but redeemed himself by notching up his maiden Test ton in the subsequent innings. He scored 150 runs off 195 deliveries.
While Sarfaraz countered the Kiwi bowlers with great aplomb, Hogg opined that the Indian batter's habit of keeping his hands very low in his stance against fast bowlers could trouble him on the bouncy Australian pitches.
Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Hogg said (from 10:11):
"There's one thing that I'm worried about Sarfaraz Khan moving forward if he goes to places like England, South Africa, and if he's on the tour here to Australia, where there's extra bounce, he might find himself in a little bit of trouble with the way that he sets himself up before the fast bowler delivers. Those hands are very low."
Sarfaraz Khan found a place in the Indian playing XI for the Bengaluru Test after Shubman Gill was unavailable for selection due to pain in his neck and shoulder. Hogg suggested that the Indian think tank should persist with Sarfaraz even if Gill is fully fit for the upcoming second Test.
Reckoning that senior batter KL Rahul should be the one making way for Gill, Hogg remarked (from 11:05):
"I'd bring Gill in for Rahul now. You've got to play Sarfaraz in the next game. He's made a 150, nearly a match-saving 150 under pressure, you've got to keep that momentum going. Rahul has had his opportunities, hasn't taken those opportunities over the last couple of Tes matches."
KL Rahul received widespread flak following his twin failures in the Bengaluru Test. He registered scores of 0 and 12. India suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the encounter as New Zealand claimed their first-ever Test victory on Indian soil since 1988.
"You want that backup keeper" - Brad Hogg wants India to play Dhruv Jurel if Rishabh Pant is not fit for second Test
Rishabh Pant sustained a knee injury in the Test series opener against New Zealand. Despite the injury scare, the southpaw delivered a brilliant 99-run knock in India's second innings.
There is a possibility that KL Rahul will be given the wicketkeeping duties if Pant is rested for the upcoming second Test. Brad Hogg, however, emphasized that Dhruv Jurel should get the nod over Rahul.
The cricketer-turned-expert said in the aforementioned video (11:27):
"If Pant is unfit as well, will they play Jurel or will they keep Rahul in there to do the keeping? I'd go with Jurel because you want that backup keeper who's going to be the future of India moving forward."
The second Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand will be played in Pune from Thursday, October 24.