There was no room for a consistent middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan When Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India A Teams for the upcoming two unofficial test matches South Africa AThis surprising omission has made many fans and cricket pundits question the logic behind the selection, especially considering Sarfaraz’s recent form and improvements.
As BCCI announces India A squad for South Africa tour, Sarfaraz Khan’s omission sparks outrage among fans
India A squad announced for two four-day matches against South Africa A Rishabh Pant As captain, who is recovering from a leg fracture suffered earlier this year. Sai Sudarshan was appointed his deputy. The squad included notable names such as Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Mhatre, Rajat Patidar, KL RahulAnd Dhruv Jurel. However, Sarfaraz KhanNo reliable performer was selected in the middle order. Fans on social media expressed surprise and disappointment at the BCCI’s decision and questioned why a player of Sarfaraz’s caliber was left out despite consistently performing well in domestic cricket and previous India A tours.
Critics highlighted that Sarfaraz had remarkably excelled during India A tour of EnglandScored an important 92 runs in the first unofficial test. Although an injury ruled him out for a while, Sarfaraz used the time to work on his fitness and came back stronger. His efforts paid off and he lost significant weight and made a solid comeback ranji trophyRecently scored 74 runs for Mumbai. Despite these qualifications, the selection committee once again decided to ignore him, leaving cricket fans stunned and disappointed.
Also read: BCCI announces India A squad for unofficial Tests against South Africa A, Rishabh Pant returns
Here’s how fans reacted:
hello @bcci ,
You are requested to please do not play Sarfaraz Khan even in domestic cricket now.
Why play a good player instead of him when you don’t have to select him in your team? @BCCIdomestic#sarfarazkhan
Respect,
cricket fan pic.twitter.com/Wt8Qu0q5jQ– Shakur Surve (@Shakurs17) 21 October 2025
where is sarfaraz khan @bcci @imAagarkar @GautamGambhir @shubmangil ,
– SRT (@chinnu231) 21 October 2025
Will Sarfaraz Khan ever get a chance?
First Division (FC)55 matches
4,685 runs
65.98average
16/15 100/50s
highest score 301*International Debut: Sarfaraz made his Test debut for India against England in February 2024, scoring twin fifties in his debut match.
Now/
Sarfaraz is… pic.twitter.com/M0prUNahZ0– Musharraf45 (@Mushara78386844) 21 October 2025
Sarfaraz Khan has once again been ignored from the India A team. #India #Mumbai #sarfarazkhan pic.twitter.com/NYEP0CBjev
– Mr Cricket UAE (@mrcricketuae) 21 October 2025
Sarfaraz Khan is not even in the India A team. When did he become so bad?#sarfarazkhan pic.twitter.com/FzJzfUopCV
– Nikhil (@nikhil_exe9) 21 October 2025
There is a conspiracy among them that they will not allow Sarfaraz Khan to move forward, like Wasim Jafar sir recently, they will not give him a chance. https://t.co/jZCcgm0lFd
– AtifOnCricket 🏏 (@cricatif) 21 October 2025
Feel for Sarfaraz Khan…!!!!!
He played for the India A team in the England tour, scoring 92 in the first unofficial match but then dropped out due to injury – improved his fitness, lost a lot of weight in the Ranji Trophy (scored a crucial 74) but did not find a place… pic.twitter.com/cLnMWBipcA
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 21 October 2025
Many thanks to BCCI for not including Sarfaraz Khan in the team.
His performance is not good, he gets up early like every time.Even though he has played so many Ranji matches, he probably hasn’t even scored a century.
The one who scores 30+ runs in the team gets a chance.
– Shakur Surve (@Shakurs17) 21 October 2025
Meet Sarfaraz Khan:
– He averages 65+ in FC
– He performed brilliantly against England in his debut series when India was trailing 0-1.
– He scored 150 runs 2 tests ago
– lost 17 kg weight
– passed yoyo testNot selected for Ind-A, another career of Agarkar and Gambhir ruined!!#sarfarazkhan #bcci pic.twitter.com/LmOTMzfhgw
– 𝐈𝐂𝐓 ᴬᵁᴿᴬ🇮🇳 (@AURAICTT) 21 October 2025
🚨No Sarfaraz Khan for India
Sarfaraz Khan has scored a lot of centuries and runs in domestic cricket, but when it comes to the Indian team, BCCI has always sidelined him, he is a victim of the dirty politics of BCCI and Gautam Gambhir.
BCCI and Coach GG should be ashamed.”
– 93 (@93yorkers) 21 October 2025
Please someone explain to me what Sarfaraz Khan did wrong?
-He scored 92 against England in an unofficial match and then got injured.
-Worked on my fitness and lost a lot of weight.
-Made a comeback in Ranji and scored some important runs there.
Now, he is not even in India… pic.twitter.com/qQdhSZgyDV
– Almus (@almusila) 21 October 2025
Insights on Sarfaraz Khan’s form and exclusion
Sarfaraz’s exclusion is surprising given his recent first-class form and the progress he has shown in maintaining fitness. He has been in the headlines for drastically slimming down his body – losing 17 kg by mid-2025 – to improve his game and increase his chances of selection for the national team. His red-ball credentials remain strong, having played crucial innings for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and impressing during India A’s overseas tours.
It is also worth noting that the selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar Earlier, Sarfaraz had been justified in dropping Sarfaraz from the Test team citing fitness concerns and a minor quadriceps injury. However, Sarfaraz resumed competitive cricket after the injury and performed admirably in domestic cricket. Some analysts see the continued neglect as part of a wider selection dilemma given the abundance of middle-order talent in Indian cricket, while others argue that Sarfaraz deserves a fair opportunity given his proven performances.