Sarfaraz Khan’s India A Snub Revenge Plan Backfires in Dramatic Ranji Trophy Setback
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan, recently omitted from the India A squad, suffered a setback in his bid to answer his critics with a strong performance, as he was dismissed cheaply in a Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh. This comes amidst widespread debate and criticism surrounding his exclusion from the India A squad for the upcoming series against South Africa A.
The exclusion of Sarfaraz from the India A team raised eyebrows, especially considering his consistent performances in domestic cricket. The middle-order batsman has been a prolific run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy, and many fans and experts believed he deserved a chance to prove himself at a higher level. Some reports suggest that the selectors were not convinced about his fitness, while others indicate that they want him to gain consistent match practice in the Ranji Trophy after recovering from an injury. Despite having reportedly shed 10 kilograms to improve his fitness, Sarfaraz wasn't given the benefit of the doubt with a "subject to fitness" selection, unlike other players.
In Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh, Sarfaraz was promoted to bat at number six, a position not typically his own. However, his attempt to capitalize on this opportunity fell short. He was dismissed for just one run off six balls, caught by Shashank Singh off the bowling of Aditya Sarwate. This failure was particularly disappointing, considering the hard work he has put in to improve his fitness and game.
Despite Sarfaraz's struggles, veteran Ajinkya Rahane stole the spotlight with a brilliant century, scoring 118 off 237 deliveries. Rahane's performance, along with Siddesh Lad's contribution of 80 runs, helped Mumbai reach a solid position of 251 for five at the end of the first day.
Sarfaraz Khan last represented India in the home series against New Zealand in November 2024. While he has a decent Test record, averaging close to 40 with one century and three half-centuries in six Tests, he hasn't played for the national team since then. He had previously been included in the India A squad for the tour of England earlier in 2025, where he scored 92 against the England Lions.
Following the India A snub, Sarfaraz's Ranji Trophy captain, Shardul Thakur, has come out in his support, asserting that he is ready for international cricket and doesn't need to play for India A to prove his credentials. Thakur stated that Sarfaraz has a special ability to deliver under pressure and that his domestic performances should be enough to warrant a direct selection into the national team. "Sarfaraz doesn't need the India A game to play international cricket. If he gets back to scoring again, he can go straight away and play Test series also," Thakur said.
Sarfaraz will have another opportunity to prove his mettle in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy match. All eyes will be on him as he looks to silence the critics and reaffirm his credentials for a place in the Indian team. However, a poor performance in this crucial Ranji Trophy encounter has only intensified the questions surrounding his form and future prospects.
