Why Sarfaraz Khan has surged ahead of Dhruv Jurel for Galle as India search for a specialist answer to spin bowling

India’s preparations for the Sri Lanka Tests may have been hampered by the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, B Sai Sudharsan for the series and Washington Sundar for the first Test, but as they reached Galle on Tuesday, they appear to be a team that is fairly settled. Of course, a decision on who partners Mohammed Siraj is yet to be taken, while Devdutt Padikkal looks like he would fill Sudharsan’s void at No. 3

But there is one more spot for India to ponder – whether to slot Sarfaraz Khan in at No 5 or 6 or to retain Dhruv Jurel.

When Sudharsan was ruled out, the initial conversations revolved around Ruturaj Gaikwad, but it was Sarfaraz who got the nod.