# R Ashwin urges Gambhir, Gill to give Sarfaraz Khan a clear role

2026-08-13T17:14:58+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Sarfaraz Khan has been recalled to India's Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Sai Sudharsan. The Mumbai batter, who last played for India in the 2024 New Zealand series, now competes with Dhruv Jurel for a spot in the playing XI ahead of the first Test starting August 15 in Galle. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that he would pick Jurel over Sarfaraz for the first Test. But Ashwin urged captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir to clearly tell Sarfaraz his role, suggesting he could become a specialist for subcontinental conditions and focus on playing spin. Sarfaraz has not played since being dropped after the Australia tour.

## Coverage

- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/gautam-gambhir-shubman-gill-get-clear-message-on-sarfaraz-khan-as-debate-of-india-xi-intensifies-11906253#publisher=newsstand>
- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-2026-27/gautam-gambhir-shubman-gill-get-clear-message-on-sarfaraz-khan-as-debate-of-india-xi-intensifies-11906253>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/not-shubman-gill-r-ashwin-names-batter-who-could-become-king-of-subcontinent-article-155609798>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-sri-lanka/give-him-clarity-ashwins-blunt-message-to-gautam-gambhir-over-sarfaraz-khans-india-future/articleshow/133227464.cms>

Tags: Gautam Gambhir, India vs Sri Lanka, Sai Sudharsan injury, Sarfaraz Khan, Shubman Gill, Test series
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