Ashwin urges clear role for Sarfaraz Khan ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin on August 13, 2026 urged team management and selectors to be clear with Sarfaraz Khan about his role in the Test side as the Shubman Gill-led team prepares in Galle for a two-match series beginning August 15. Ashwin's remarks followed Sarfaraz's recall to the squad as an injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan.
Sarfaraz returned to the Test squad for the first time since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2024-25 season after nearly two years out. He was named as the cover for Sai Sudharsan, who was ruled out of the series with an injury. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a hundred in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI at the NCC Ground, is expected to replace Sudharsan at No. 3.
Ashwin backed wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel to keep his place in the XI despite recent struggles, noting a need to respect the pecking order. "Dhruv Jurel," Ashwin said when asked to pick between the wicketkeeper-batter and Dhruv Jurel in the XI. "You have brought back Sarfaraz Khan. He has come in place of Sai Sudharsan as an injury replacement. That's one," he said.
On Sarfaraz's integration, Ashwin urged the management to give the batter a clear message about where he stands and when he will be used. "And I think clear messaging to Sarfaraz Khan is also important. If someone feels, Sarfaraz can be suspect in some conditions, then you have to give him clarity 'Sarfaraz, you will get an opportunity to serve the team in subcontinent conditions'. So, you don't waste Sarfaraz's time and focus on improving himself. He can become the King of the subcontinent, become a good player of spin," Ashwin said. "You need to keep the communication clear. You need to give him chances. If you think he is suspect, he needs to be told. "Across the globe, people have specialists based on conditions. Take Australia, Australia have Peter Handscomb for subcontinent conditions. Usman Khawaja was brought back into the team to tackle spin, and he went on to become a regular opener."
Some observers have argued Sarfaraz's proactive and innovative approach against spin could be useful in Sri Lanka, particularly given concerns about Jurel's recent vulnerability to spin; five of his last seven dismissals have come against spin. Ashwin said that, if Sarfaraz is to be viewed as condition-specific, that should be made explicit so the player can focus on improvement.
Sarfaraz's Test record to date includes six matches in 2024, yielding 371 runs and one century, with all appearances occurring in India. There were reports that he had been susceptible to short-pitched bowling and rumours of disciplinary issues after he was overlooked for selection despite strong domestic numbers.
The Shubman Gill-led side's two-match Test series in Sri Lanka begins on August 15 in Galle, with Sarfaraz in the squad as an injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal expected to bat at No. 3.
