The exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan from India's squad for the upcoming Test series against England has sparked considerable debate, with former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his surprise and offering words of encouragement to the young batsman. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the squad for the five-match Test series, which begins on June 20 in Leeds, and Sarfaraz's name was notably absent, with selectors opting for Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair instead.
Harbhajan Singh weighed in on the situation, deeming Sarfaraz's omission "unfortunate." Speaking to PTI Videos, he admitted he was "a bit shocked" not to see Sarfaraz's name in the squad. Despite the setback, Harbhajan conveyed his belief in Sarfaraz's resilience and ability to bounce back. "I'm sure he will come back strong. He has got that will to make a comeback… All I can say is, don't be disheartened, you will get your due, if not today, then tomorrow…."
To illustrate the unpredictable nature of cricket selection, Harbhajan drew a parallel with Karun Nair's career. "Look at Karun Nair. He scored 300 runs against England and then never got too many opportunities." Nair made a memorable Test debut in 2016, becoming only the second Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket. However, he couldn't maintain that form and was eventually dropped from the team. Now, Nair finds himself back in the Test fold for the England tour, highlighting the cyclical nature of opportunities in cricket.
Sarfaraz Khan has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, and his exclusion has raised questions about the selection criteria. He had a strong debut in 2024, playing six Test matches and scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including one century and three half-centuries. His sole century was a remarkable 150 against New Zealand. Despite this promising start, he was left out of the squad for the England tour.
Even former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has voiced his opinion. On his YouTube channel, Chopra stated that Sarfaraz "hasn't done anything wrong thus far" and that it’s "not a good story" to not give him chances despite performing well. Chopra questioned the logic of not including Sarfaraz in the Test team and not giving him opportunities in England, Australia, or South Africa.
Sarfaraz is currently with the India A squad in England, where he is making a case for himself. He recently scored 92 in an unofficial Test match against England Lions in Canterbury and followed it up with a rapid 101 off 76 balls in an intra-squad match.
The decision to include Karun Nair in the squad after seven years, while omitting Sarfaraz, has intensified the discussion. Some argue that domestic performance should be a primary factor in selection, while others believe that other considerations, such as team balance and specific skill sets, also play a crucial role. The five-Test series between India and England is set to commence on June 20, with subsequent matches scheduled at Edgbaston (July 2), Lord's (July 10), Old Trafford (July 23), and The Oval (July 31).
