DC vs GT: In the absence of ex-skipper Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals asked Sarfaraz Khan to don the gloves in their opening game against Lucknow Super Giants. Despite taking a couple of catches, Sarfaraz had a forgettable game behind the stumps and scored just four in DC’s 50-run defeat. Former Mumbai wicketkeeper Zulfiqar Parkar feels that Sarfaraz needs to do a lot of hard work on his wicket-keeping skills. Meanwhile, DC will play their second game against Gujarat Titans on April 4. And they may consider fielding a specialist wicketkeeper, Abishek Porel. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 Live Updates with Insidesport.IN
DC vs GT: Sarfaraz Khan Needs to Improve Glove Work
Former Mumbai wicketkeeper Zulfiqar Parkar felt that Sarfaraz’s glove work needs improvement as he failed to collect a straightforward delivery.
“Early on, Sarfaraz failed to gather a straightforward delivery. He needs to improve his glove work. If he does that, it will be a big plus for him. I think Sarfaraz ‘ne thik kiya’ [he was okay]. In a T20 game, very few deliveries reach the ’keeper, which he needs to gather cleanly,” Parkar told mid-day on Sunday.
However, Parkar also said that Sarfaraz should continue donning the gloves as the additional role will help him keep his place in the playing XI.
“He should keep wickets, because that gives him a place in the side. He got a good position to bat at No. 4. But the habit of playing the upper cut costs him a lot. He should totally avoid it now. Everyone knows where to place a fielder for him. He can play plenty of good shots in front of the wicket,” suggested Parkar.
Sulakshan Kulkarni Not Satisfied With Sarfaraz Wicketkeeping
Sulakshan Kulkarni, who is guiding Tamil Nadu players as head coach said that wicket-keeping is a specialist job and Sarfaraz is not a natural keeper.
“Sarfaraz is not a natural wicketkeeper. Wicketkeeping is a specialist job. Are you [DC] taking it lightly? If you lose a close game and if Sarfaraz misses a crucial run-out, catch or stumping, then dont blame him. When your team have a wrist spinner like Kuldeep Yadav, the keeper should be able to read which way the ball is going to spin,” said Kulkarni.
Kulkarni, further gave the example of Gujarat Titans’ Wriddhiman Saha to prove his point. “We all witnessed the importance of a genuine wicketkeeper even in the IPL just a few days ago. [Wriddhiman] Saha at the age of 38 took two brilliant catches [to dismiss Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes] behind the stumps off leggie Rashid Khans bowling, which helped Gujarat win,” he added.
Sunil Gavaskar Criticized Decision to Play Sarfaraz as Wicketkeeper
Earlier, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar criticized the decision to play Sarfaraz Khan as a wicketkeeper. He said on air, “Don’t know whose decision was it? Was it a move to increase his stocks that he can even keep wickets?”
India women’s team coach WV Raman also tweeted during that the decision to play Sarfaraz as a wicketkeeper is not right. However, he didn’t take any names in his tweet. His Tweet read, “Wicket keeping was considered a thankless job, albeit a tough one. Of late the importance of that position is being diluted to the extent of almost being disrespectful, the adaptability and tactical demands notwithstanding.. #justsaying.”
Sarfaraz Khan became Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper during the IPL 2023. He kept the wicket during LSG vs DC match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. Sarfaraz Khan is selected as the first-choice wicket-keeper batsman in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Meanwhile, in their second match against defending champions Gujarat Titans, DC may opt to include Abishek Porel, a specialist wicketkeeper.
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