Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from India's Test squad for the upcoming series against England has sparked widespread disappointment and debate within the cricketing fraternity. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced his shock at the snub, urging the young batsman to draw inspiration from players who faced similar setbacks but eventually made their mark. The selection decision, which favored Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan, has been met with criticism, raising questions about the consistency and fairness of the selection process.
Harbhajan Singh, in a statement to PTI Videos, expressed his surprise at Sarfaraz Khan's omission from the 18-man squad for the five-match Test tour of England, which begins on June 20 in Leeds. Despite being picked for the India A squad, Sarfaraz's failure to secure a spot in the main team has left many puzzled, considering his consistent performances in domestic cricket and recent showings in English conditions. Singh said, "It's very unfortunate... I was a bit shocked not seeing his name in the squad. 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… Look at Karun Nair. He scored 300 runs against England and then never got too many opportunities. Now he is back in England with the team."
Aakash Chopra has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the selection committee's decision. On his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned the logic behind excluding Sarfaraz, highlighting his impressive performances, including a 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru last year. He argued that Sarfaraz had not been given a fair chance to prove himself in challenging overseas conditions, while other players who had failed in similar environments continued to receive opportunities. Chopra questioned the inconsistency in selection logic, pointing out that if Sarfaraz wasn't deemed good enough for Tests, then why was he selected for India A at all? He added, “If you don't believe in his technique or temperament, why send him with India A? It shows a pre-conceived notion about a player, which is unfair."
Sarfaraz Khan himself has responded to the setback with resilience, scoring a rapid 76-ball century in a two-day warm-up game between the Test squad and India A in Beckenham. This followed an impressive knock of 92 against the England Lions in Canterbury earlier this month, further demonstrating his ability to perform in English conditions.
The exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan has ignited a broader debate about the criteria used for selecting players for the Indian Test team. Some experts believe that his perceived weakness against pace bowling might have influenced the decision-makers, while others point to team management's concerns about his ability to perform consistently on overseas pitches. However, critics argue that Sarfaraz's domestic record and recent performances warrant a fair opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has cited Sarfaraz's lack of experience as a reason for his exclusion, stating that Karun Nair's experience was a deciding factor. He said, “Sarfaraz did play the three Test matches [against New Zealand] in India. I know he got a hundred in the first Test, didn't get runs [after that] and missed out in Australia. Sometimes those are decisions which the team management takes. Whether it's fair on somebody or unfair on someone, those are the choices that you make in the best interest of the team. At the moment, we felt Karun has put up heaps of runs over the last couple of seasons."
As India prepares for the Test series against England, the controversy surrounding Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion is unlikely to fade away soon. Fans and former players continue to demand greater transparency and consistency in the selection process, emphasizing the need to reward consistent performers and provide opportunities for deserving players to showcase their talent on the international stage.
