The BCCI has finally mentioned its reason for dropping Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan from the India A squad for the upcoming first-class series against South Africa A. The BCCI has cited Sarfaraz’s long absence from first-class cricket as the main reason for the omission.
Mumbai Ranji batsman Sarfaraz Khan is undoubtedly one of the most prolific bowlers among the youngsters in the longest format of the game. As Sarfaraz Khan makes his much-awaited comeback to domestic cricket with the Ranji Trophy, he faced a major disappointment in the form of India A’s snub.
Sarfaraz has played 6 matches for India in the longest format of the game and has scored 300+ runs at an average of around 40. He also scored his first Test half-century against England and then his first century against New Zealand.
BCCI’s logic behind the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan from India A team
Domestic cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, who has been an absolute star in the red-ball format and has great statistics representing India A, was ruled out of the tour against South Africa A starting on October 30.
After an injury forced him out of the game, he made a comeback earlier this month and scored a half-century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. On his return, he also scored a brilliant century in the Invitational Buchi Babu Tournament.
However, for the BCCI and the Indian selectors, this was not enough evidence to consider him for the India A team. The BCCI selectors have been accused of being biased towards the young and promising batsman from Mumbai; However, he stated that his disgrace was due to his absence from competitive cricket and not a lack of ability.
“Sarfaraz was out with a quadriceps injury. He recently made a comeback and played the first round of the Ranji Trophy, the only competitive cricket he has played in a long time. The selectors will assess his form in the current Ranji season before bringing him back into the India A set-up,” the source told NDTV. “Hopefully he will get a chance soon,” the officer said.
Did Rishabh Pant’s return to India A deny Sarfaraz a place in the playing eleven?
The India A squad sees the return of Indian wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who is making his much-awaited return to the longest format of the game after receiving a fitness certificate after recovering from a fracture injury at Old Trafford.
For now, the BCCI source clearly mentions that Sarfaraz Khan, the man who has averaged almost 100 in first-class cricket over the last few years, has been sidelined, and it could be a matter of time before he is back in the white for the Men in Blue.
Multiple reports in PTI have claimed that Rishabh Pant’s return to the India A red-ball setup has deprived Sarfaraz Khan of his place in the XI, as Pant can be slotted at number one only in Khan’s absence. 5 for India A team.
Is Sarfaraz Khan eyeing number 3 in the Indian Test team?
Currently, the Indian men’s senior Test team has only one spot left to contest; That’s the number. 3 batsmen in the test team. Earlier, Virat Kohli used to play at number 1 for India. 4 and Shubman Gill played at number. Ever since Cheteshwar Pujara was removed from this post, he is at number 3.
However, with Kohli’s retirement and Shubman Gill’s arrival as captain in the longest format, the batting order saw a major change, and Sai became a contender for the number three spot along with Sudarshan, Karun Nair and Devdutt Padikkal, and now Sarfaraz Khan may also be eyeing the spot to make a Test comeback.
Also read: Virat Kohli announces retirement in Adelaide
