'If There's a Guy That Deserves it, It's Certainly Him': AB de Villiers Excited After Sarfaraz Khan's Maiden India Call-up

Legendary South Africa batter AB de Villiers has backed Sarfaraz Khan to make his debut for India in the second Test against England starting February 2. The Mumbaikar got his maiden call-up earlier this week after Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul were ruled out of the Vizag Test due to their respective injuries.

Sarfaraz waited a long time to get his maiden India call-up but he still has to beat Rajat Patidar in the race to get a place in the XI for the second Test as one of them will replace KL Rahul in the side. The Madhya Pradesh batter was included in the squad as a replacement for Virat Kohli who made himself unavailable for the first two Tests citing personal issues.

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De Villiers heaped praise on Sarfaraz while pointing out his stats in first-class cricket and said he very well deserved the call-up.

“It’s just very exciting for me. His record in first-class cricket is quite outstanding, and if there’s a guy that deserves it, it’s certainly him. He has played 66 innings, 3912 runs, and an average of 69.85. 14 hundreds and 11 fifties, guys, that is not normal,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

The Proteas legend said that it’s a big jump for Sarfaraz and wants him to get a chance to showcase his talent on the big stage.

“That is a very, very good first-class record. I know it’s a big jump up to international cricket against England, on the biggest stage, I hope he gets a chance because Rajat Patidar has also been playing well,” he added.

On Monday, the BCCI announced that Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test which was a big blow for India as the duo performed well with the bat in the first innings of the Hyderabad Test.

Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury during play on Day 4 of the first Test in Hyderabad while Rahul complained of right quadriceps pain.

The Men’s Selection Committee have added Sarfaraz Khan, Sourabh Kumar and Washington Sundar to India’s squad.