IPL 2023: Ex-Mumbai stumpers Parkar, Kulkarni not too pleased with Sarfaraz’s glove work v LSG

DC wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Khan during the match against LSG at Lucknow on Saturday. Pic/PTI

In the absence of injured wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals (DC) asked Mumbai-based Sarfaraz Khan to don the gloves in their opening game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Lucknow on Saturday. Sarfaraz, 25, despite taking a couple of catches, had a forgettable game behind the stumps and scored just four in DC's 50-run defeat.

Former Mumbai wicketkeepers Zulfiqar Parkar, 65, and Sulakshan Kulkarni, 56, felt that Sarfaraz's glove work needs improvement. Kulkarni went on to say that Sarfaraz is not a natural 'keeper.

Zulfiqar Parkar and Sulakshan Kulkarni

"Early on, Sarfaraz failed to gather a straight-forward 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.

‘Not a natural 'keeper'

Kulkarni, who is currently conducting a coaching camp in Coimbatore and guiding Tamil Nadu players as head coach, was watching the DC v LSG clash on television with TN players. He said: "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 don't 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."

Kulkarni, a former Mumbai Ranji Trophy-winning coach, gave the example of Gujarat Giants' Wriddhiman Saha to prove his point further.

Saha still so sharp at 38

"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 Khan's bowling, which helped Gujarat win," remarked Kulkarni.

However, Parkar, a former Mumbai Ranji team selector, felt Sarfaraz should continue donning the gloves as the additional role will help him keep his place in the playing XI.

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"He should keep wickets, because that gives him a place in the side. He's 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.