Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the India A squad for the upcoming series against South Africa A has ignited a major debate within the cricketing fraternity. Despite a stellar domestic record, the Mumbai batsman has consistently been overlooked, leading to questions about the selection process and his future in Indian cricket.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur has voiced his strong support for Sarfaraz, asserting that he doesn't need India A games to prove his worth. "Sarfaraz doesn't need India A to prove himself," Thakur stated, emphasizing that consistent runs in domestic cricket should be enough for Sarfaraz to reclaim his place in the national Test side. He highlighted Sarfaraz's experience and proven record, suggesting that India A matches are typically used to prepare younger talents for international cricket, a route Sarfaraz no longer requires. "If he scores heavily again, he's ready to walk straight into the Test squad," Thakur added.
Thakur lauded Sarfaraz's ability to perform under pressure, recalling his "big scores of 200-250" that have often come when the team was in a difficult position. "To play that kind of innings under pressure, you have to have something special in you," he said. Thakur also pointed out Sarfaraz's consistency over the years, deeming him a dependable run-getter in the domestic circuit.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded to the uproar, citing fitness concerns as the primary reason for Sarfaraz's omission. According to a BCCI source, Sarfaraz was recovering from a quadriceps injury and had only recently returned to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy. Selectors will reportedly assess his form in the ongoing Ranji season before considering him for the India A setup. A report by PTI also suggested that Rishabh Pant's return to the red-ball setup and his assigned No. 5 spot in the India A squad left no room for Sarfaraz in the middle order.
However, this explanation has done little to quell the criticism. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his bewilderment at the decision, questioning where Sarfaraz is meant to prove himself. He also pointed out inconsistencies in the selection process. Irfan Pathan, while urging fans not to jump to conclusions, acknowledged that repeated exclusions raise questions about the fairness of the selection process.
The debate took a political turn when Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed questioned whether Sarfaraz's "surname" played a role in his non-selection, drawing a sharp response from BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who accused her of communalizing cricket. Pathan cautioned against turning cricket selection into a political or communal issue.
Despite the controversies and setbacks, Sarfaraz remains focused on performing in domestic cricket. He last played international cricket in November 2024 against New Zealand. In Mumbai's first Ranji Trophy game of the 2025-26 season, he scored 42 and 32 in the two innings. Thakur remains confident that Sarfaraz will soon return to his prolific run-scoring form and force his way back into contention for a spot in the Indian Test team.
