Kaif backs Sarfaraz Khan over Dhruv Jurel for India’s first Test in Galle
On August 11, 2026 former India batter Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel he would pick Sarfaraz Khan ahead of Dhruv Jurel for India’s playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Kaif made the remarks while discussing the selection dilemma between the two middle-order candidates and cited conditions in Galle as a factor in his preference. “If they follow the trend of backing the players who have already been playing for the team, then they might say, ‘Jurel has been with us already. He hasn’t scored consistently, but we will back him because he has already been part of the team.’ If that is the approach, then Sarfaraz will have to wait,” Kaif said.
Sarfaraz has played six Tests since making his debut in 2024. He has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10. His returns include a century and three fifties. His standout innings came against New Zealand in Bengaluru, where he scored 150.
Kaif also pointed to Sarfaraz’s strokeplay as a reason for selecting him in the middle order. “He also has a wide range of shots. When you get to the fourth or fifth day, batting becomes more difficult, and that is where a player like Sarfaraz Khan can be very useful,” he said. “He knows how to use sweeps and reverse sweeps effectively. He can hit over extra cover, he is good off the back foot and he attacks spin.”
Kaif contrasted Sarfaraz’s form with Dhruv Jurel’s recent performances, noting the wicketkeeper-batter’s warm-up match returns. Jurel scored only 18 runs across two innings in India’s warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI. Jurel has scored 478 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 34.14, including one century and one fifty. “Look, I can understand that India have played well, but Jurel’s recent Test record and form haven’t been that great,” Kaif said.
Sarfaraz was brought into the squad as a replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan, giving him another opportunity to return to India’s Test setup. “But if you ask me what the best XI is, Sarfaraz’s name comes into my best XI because of his ability to play spin at No. 5 or No. 6. His record against spin is excellent,” Kaif added.
India will begin the two-Test series in Galle on August 15, with the No. 6 spot likely to be one of the key selection calls before the first Test.
