Batsman Sarfaraz Khan is once again in great form in domestic cricket. Playing for Mumbai, Khan has performed wonders in white-ball tournaments this season, yet he has been deliberately ignored across all formats in international cricket, leaving former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar perplexed.
The Indian selectors have consistently faced criticism for making controversial selections, especially in the longest format of the game. Sarfaraz Khan, one of the rising talents of Indian cricket, got success in the home series against England in 2024. However, since his success, he has remained away from international cricket.
After being left out of the England tour, Sarfaraz has repeatedly hit the headlines with his stellar performances in domestic tournaments and his weight loss regime, and now with his recent exploits in T20 and 50-over cricket.
Sarfaraz Khan’s brilliant performance against Goa in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Sarfaraz Khan emerged as a special performer in domestic cricket and one of the most promising batsmen for Mumbai. However, he had to struggle year after year for his position in the Indian team, which was awarded to him in 2024. Following his India call-up, Sarfaraz played 6 Tests and scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10 with one century and three half-centuries.
However, after the series against England and New Zealand at home, Sarfaraz Khan was selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the only additional batsman, but despite India’s poor performance with the bat throughout the series, he was not given a chance to play.
By 2025, Sarfaraz continued his performances in Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy matches. However, their true dominance was portrayed during the white-ball tournaments, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Playing just 6 games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai this season, Sarfaraz maintained a strike rate of over 200 and scored three half-centuries. After scores of 52, 64 and 73 against Kerala, Haryana and Rajasthan, he remained at no. 4 for Mumbai in VHT.
In partnership with his brother, Mushir Khan, he has already scored 220 runs in 3 innings at an average of 110 and a blistering strike rate of over 250. His recent headlines came after his courageous innings of 157 off just 75 balls against Goa in the fourth Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Mumbai this season.
Dilip Vengsarkar surprised by Sarfaraz Khan being ignored again and again
Former Indian selector Dilip Vengsarkar did not shy away from criticizing the Indian selectors for ignoring such a unique talent of Sarfaraz Khan. Despite consistent and promising performances in domestic cricket, India have failed to make room for the Mumbai batsmen in any format.
Vengsarkar has wondered why Sarfaraz has been consistently ignored by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
“You know, the thing is, it’s really baffling to me why he hasn’t been selected for India in any format when he has consistently performed well, even for India, when he’s got the chance.”
“I saw him and (Devdutt) Padikkal bat together against England in Dharamsala. It was an important session. They batted beautifully and formed an important partnership, which ultimately helped India win the Test match,” Vengsarkar told The Times of India.
“Such talent has been overlooked and ignored,” Vengsarkar said.
Vengsarkar also shamed the Indian management for not giving him the opportunity to showcase his potential in international cricket. The former BCCI selector referred to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when, despite traveling to Australia, he could not make it into the XI.
“And after that (home series against England), he didn’t get a chance (to play another Test). Of course, he was on the Australia tour (2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), but he was not given a chance at all, and that really bothers me, because he is a good enough player to play in all formats of the game. Such talent has been overlooked. It’s really a shame!” Vengsarkar said.
Sarfaraz Khan has been selected by Chennai Super Kings for his base price of Rs 75 lakh this season. He has previously played 50 IPL games and featured for teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals.
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