The players have been training with intensity ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth. On November 19, the players shared a light moment during a practice session when Sarfaraz Khan displayed his unorthodox catching technique in the slip cordon.
Usually, when catching in slips, when the ball is above or over shoulder height, the fielder uses 'reverse cup' technique to take the catch. However, Sarfaraz used the orthodox cup and took the catch above his left shoulder.
Sarfaraz's catch left the slip cordon fielders in splits. Virat Kohli hid his face and started laughing. Dhruv Jurel could not keep a straight face either whereas wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant fell down on the ground and laughed for a few seconds. When Pant got up, he playfully hit Sarfaraz. Then, he shared 'high-fives' with Kohli.
Meanwhile, it is not clear whether Sarfaraz will get a chance in the Perth Test. On November 19, India tried a few fielders in the slip cordon as Shubman Gill is set to miss the series opener due to a fractured thumb. Devdutt Padikkal who was a part of India A squad was asked to stay back as well. Padikkal fielder in the slip cordon alongside Kohli, and KL Rahul.
So far, Sarfaraz has fielded at close-in catching positions in red-ball cricket like silly point or forward square leg. If he gets a place in the playing eleven on a bouncy Perth track, he is likely to field at these positions only.
Sarfaraz vs Jurel?
Sarfaraz has not been in good form of late. After his Test career-best 150 in Bengaluru Test against New Zealand, he scored 21 runs from four innings. There is a possibility that wicketkeeper-batter Jurel may replace him in the side as pure batter. While Sarfaraz batted well during two-day match simulation at the WACA Ground, Jurel registered scores of 80 and 68 against Australia A.
Who will open the innings?
The first Test at Optus Stadium will begin on November 22. India are yet to announce Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner in the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma. Earlier, head coach Gautam Gambhir had hinted that Rahul is capable of batting in that position.
