India, Aug. 11 -- Sarfaraz Khan's return to India's Test squad may officially have been triggered by Sai Sudharsan's injury, but the more significant development could unfold lower down the batting order.

With Devdutt Padikkal strengthening his claim to the No. 3 position after an unbeaten 142 in India's warm-up game, Sarfaraz is unlikely to simply walk into Sudharsan's slot. Instead, he has emerged as a genuine contender to Dhruv Jurel for a place in the middle order ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

That possibility requires explaining because Jurel has hardly been discarded by India. He has previously delivered under pressure in Test cricket, offers the additional value of being a wicketkeeper and, remarkably, sco...