Sarfaraz Khan’s India A Snub: A Point of Contention
A recent decision to omit Sarfaraz Khan from the India A squad for the four-day matches against South Africa A has ignited a passionate debate among cricket fans and experts alike.
Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur, a seasoned India pacer, emphatically stated that Sarfaraz Khan doesn’t require further “India A” experience to prove his mettle for international cricket. According to Thakur, Sarfaraz’s consistent and powerful performances in domestic matches should be more than enough to secure his spot in the national Test squad.
Despite making his Test debut against England in Rajkot in 2024 and scoring a century in his last appearance for India during a home series against New Zealand, the 28-year-old batter’s recent omission from the India A squad facing South Africa A has fueled widespread controversy and even sparked political discussion across social media platforms.
Thakur elaborated on his viewpoint, explaining that the India A team’s purpose is typically to groom emerging talent for international cricket. He argued, “Sarfaraz doesn’t need an India A game to play international cricket. If he gets back to scoring again, he can straight away go and play Test series also.”
The influential Mumbai all-rounder further emphasized Sarfaraz’s impressive domestic record and his proven ability to perform under immense pressure. “He is coming from an injury lay-off, but even before that, he scored two or three centuries in the Buchi Babu Trophy,” Thakur pointed out. He dismissed the importance of India A selection for Sarfaraz, stating, “It was very unfortunate to have been run out, but for him, I don’t think playing India A is important.”
Thakur reaffirmed that Sarfaraz is a seasoned batter known for his composure and ability to deliver when it matters most. “He has big scores of 200-250s, and those innings have often come when the team was in a precarious position, two or three wickets down very early,” he asserted. “To play that kind of innings under pressure, you truly have to possess something special.”
Sarfaraz’s statistics in domestic cricket speak volumes: an incredible 2,541 runs over the last five years, boasting an average of 110.47, including ten centuries and five half-centuries. In his brief six-Test career, he has already amassed 371 runs at an average nearing 40. His most recent outing for India A saw him score 92 runs against the England Lions in Canterbury.
Meanwhile, Mumbai recently kicked off their Ranji Trophy season with a historic first-ever victory against Jammu and Kashmir. Their next challenge will be against Chhattisgarh at the BKC Ground. Other notable Group D matches include Rajasthan taking on Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi facing Himachal Pradesh, and Puducherry hosting Hyderabad.
The decision to exclude Sarfaraz from the India A squad unfortunately spilled over into the political arena. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed publicly questioned the omission, implying religious bias. In response, BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla sharply condemned these remarks, highlighting the inclusion of several other Muslim players in the squad to counter such allegations.