Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Murali Kartik backs Dhruv Jurel over Sarfaraz Khan for India
Cricket is a game where two teams of eleven players face off, and India is getting ready to play a series against Sri Lanka.
The team added a new player named Sarfaraz Khan to the squad.
Sarfaraz once scored a huge hundred in Bengaluru in 2024, but since then his scores have not been as big.
A former India player named Murali Kartik thinks a different player should be in the starting eleven.
He wants Dhruv Jurel, who has done everything the team asked of him, to play instead.
Kartik also says Sarfaraz did not do anything wrong.
He believes teams should pick players the same way each time so players feel safe and secure.
That is why he made this choice.
India replaced Sai Sudharsan with Sarfaraz Khan for the IND vs SL series.
Sarfaraz scored a century in Bengaluru against New Zealand in 2024 but has since tapered off.
Former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik said he would start Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI instead.
Kartik cited consistency in how India plays and picks sides, calling the messaging important.
Kartik said Sarfaraz has done nothing wrong but is coming in as a replacement.
- Who
- Murali Kartik (former India cricketer giving his opinion), Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel (contenders for the playing XI), and the India team management, which replaced Sai Sudharsan with Sarfaraz Khan.
- What
- A debate over whether Sarfaraz Khan or Dhruv Jurel should be in India's playing XI against Sri Lanka, with Kartik backing Jurel for consistency.
- When
- The exact date is not stated in the article; it references Sarfaraz's century in 2024 in Bengaluru.
- Where
- India vs Sri Lanka series; Sarfaraz's cited century was scored in Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- Kartik believes consistent selection and clear messaging make players feel secure, and says Jurel has done exactly what the team asked.
Pick Sarfaraz Khan
Pick Dhruv Jurel
Playing XI selection for IND vs SL
Pick Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz should play because he has a game plan against spinners, plays domestic cricket regularly, and has done nothing wrong; he is only being brought in as a replacement.
Pick Dhruv Jurel
Jurel should start because he has been part of the side, is a handy Test batter who has done exactly what the team asked, and consistent selection messaging matters.
- Event
- India vs Sri Lanka series (IND vs SL)
- Squad change
- Sarfaraz Khan replaces Sai Sudharsan
- Kartik's preferred pick
- Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI
- Sarfaraz's landmark knock
- Century vs New Zealand in Bengaluru, 2024
- Kartik's key concern
- Consistency in team selection and messaging
- Source of comments
- Murali Kartik on Sony Sports