Can Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan Make India Squad? Ex-India Opener's Clear Advice

Indian players need to back their domestic performance with a solid show in the IPL to get picked for the national team, said Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer. Many Indian players, including Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, have failed to fire in this IPL and Jaffer feels it is all about handling pressure. "Prithvi has done well, this is the only season where he hasn't met expectation but he has been a prolific scorer for Delhi along with Warner. But this can happen. In this format, we have seen far bigger players haven't done well. Hopefully, he will bounce back stronger," Jaffer said.

"Sarfaraz also had three prolific domestic seasons. To score 1000 runs for almost three seasons is unthinkable but he hasn't backed that up with IPL performance.

"Now if you want to come to the Indian side, he's got to back up the domestic performance with IPL. But unfortunately, he hasn't done that." While Shaw has amassed 3,679 runs at an average of 51.09, with 12 hundred and 15 fifties in 42 first class matches, Sarfaraz has scored 3,505 runs at 79.65, with 13 hundred and nine fifties in 37 games.

However, the duo couldn't grab the opportunities that it got in this IPL.

"I won't say there is massive gap in standard in bowling in domestic cricket and IPL but I would say it is about pressure of IPL. It is different," Jaffer said during the pre-match press conference.

"When you play Syed Mushtaq Ali, you are representing your state, you are comparatively relaxed but in IPL when you are not performing in 2-3 games, there are players waiting and there is pressure of price tag and performance. It is about the ability to handle pressure.

"Any franchise which has done well in IPL, you will see the Indian players have done well. Jitesh