Shocking Omission: Sarfaraz Khan Snubbed Again Despite Consistent Success
Despite consistent high-level performance in domestic cricket, Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan has once again been sidelined. The 28-year-old was notably excluded from the India ‘A’ squad for the upcoming four-day series against South Africa ‘A’, which begins this Thursday.
Sarfaraz is one of the most successful batters in India’s domestic circuit. Although he received a delayed opportunity in the Test squad, he quickly proved his mettle. In just six Tests, he has scored 371 runs, including one century and three half-centuries. He last played for India in November 2024 against New Zealand but has been excluded from the national setup ever since.
Anger and Frustration from Public Figures
The exclusion caused immediate outrage when the India ‘A’ squad for the two four-day matches against South Africa ‘A’ was announced on October 21st, especially given Sarfaraz’s impressive performance during the England tour.
Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament from Kerala, expressed his deep disappointment on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter):
“This is truly shameful. Sarfaraz has a First Class average of over 65. He scored a fifty on his Test debut, a 150-run innings in another Test, 92 on the England tour, and even a century against the main Indian team. Yet, he has been dropped from the team.”
Tharoor further criticized the selection philosophy:
“Our selectors are too quick to discard proven players and gamble on potential. Players who score runs in domestic cricket should be valued. Performance in the Ranji Trophy, not just the IPL, must be rewarded.”
R Ashwin Voices Disbelief
Indian star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also expressed his surprise and sympathy for Sarfaraz:
“I can’t find any logical reason behind Sarfaraz’s exclusion. I feel very bad for him. He worked on his fitness, he scored runs, he even scored a century against New Zealand. To drop him despite all this implies that maybe someone has decided—’We have already seen Sarfaraz Khan, we don’t need him anymore.'”
Ashwin questioned where Sarfaraz is supposed to prove himself next:
“If a player performs well in First Class cricket, they say, ‘That’s only the domestic level.’ So where does Sarfaraz go? It now feels like the door has been shut on him.”
Sarfaraz’s career First Class record stands at a stunning 4,760 runs in 57 matches, with an average of 64.32.
