Controversy Erupts as Shama Mohamed Accuses Gambhir of Communal Bias in Sarfaraz Khan's Omission

A fresh controversy has gripped Indian cricket, with Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed alleging religious bias against former cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir regarding the non-selection of Sarfaraz Khan in the national team assignments. The accusation surfaced after Sarfaraz Khan was excluded from the India A squad set to face a visiting South African team in October-November in Bengaluru.

Mohamed took to social media platform X, questioning whether Sarfaraz Khan's surname was the reason for his exclusion. "Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter," she posted, referencing Gambhir's association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sarfaraz Khan, a Mumbai-based batter, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket. Despite his impressive track record, he has struggled to find a regular place in the national side. He made his Test debut against New Zealand in November 2024 but didn't get many opportunities to play afterwards. He was not selected for the England tour and wasn't considered for the home series against the West Indies.

This is not the first time Mohamed has courted controversy with her opinions on cricket. Earlier this year, she faced criticism for body-shaming Rohit Sharma, calling him "fat for a sportsperson" and "the most unimpressive" captain in India's history.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi has also questioned the rationale behind Sarfaraz's exclusion from the India A team, despite his consistent performance in domestic cricket. AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan stated that there must be more to the story, considering Sarfaraz's impressive average.

Sarfaraz's omission has sparked debate among cricket fans and experts. Some speculate that there might be other factors influencing the selection decisions. One theory suggests that a rumor about Sarfaraz leaking dressing room conversations during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy had negatively impacted his chances. Some reports claimed that Gambhir blamed Sarfaraz for leaking sensitive information from the Indian dressing room during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

However, Chairman of the senior selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, cited injury concerns when explaining the omission of Sarfaraz Khan from the home series against the West Indies last month. He had missed both the Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup due to a quadriceps injury.

Despite these explanations, many find it difficult to justify Sarfaraz's repeated exclusion, especially considering his consistent performances in domestic cricket and his efforts to improve his fitness. He even went through a physical transformation, shedding around 17 kilograms to boost his fitness.

Former Indian pacer Atul Wassan dismissed the communal insinuations behind Safaraz Khan's selection snub, calling them "preposterous".

Some reports suggest that Sarfaraz's exclusion might also be due to the comeback of Rishabh Pant, who is expected to lead the team and occupy the No. 5 spot, leaving little room for Sarfaraz in the playing XI. Selectors are said to feel that Sarfaraz can enhance his prospects for a return if he can adjust himself to a higher batting position.

The controversy surrounding Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion highlights the complexities and debates surrounding team selections in Indian cricket. While some attribute it to bias, others point to performance, team dynamics, and other factors. The debate continues to rage on social media and in cricketing circles, with many calling for transparency and fairness in the selection process.