Middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan was left out of the Rishabh Pant-led India A team for the upcoming series against South Africa, surprising many in the cricket community. A former national selector said that the young batsman should discuss with the Mumbai team management.
Sarfaraz last played for India A earlier this year. He scored 92 runs against England Lions in Canterbury. However, during the recent series against Australia A last month, he was still recovering at the National Cricket Academy’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, delaying his bid for national selection.
Sarfaraz Khan’s boycott seen as a strategic move, not an insult
On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India ‘A’ squad for the two first-class matches against South Africa A. However, despite his excellent performance in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz Khan was not included in the team.
According to a PTI report, Sarfaraz’s ouster was a strategic decision rather than one of neglect. Rishabh Pant has returned to captain the side after injury and is expected to bat at No. 5, meaning he could warm the bench even if Sarfaraz is included.
B Sai Sudarshan will get a chance at number 3, while regular players like Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy will occupy the middle order.
The Mumbai batsman will focus on the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season while waiting for another chance to re-enter India’s red-ball plans.
Sarfaraz Khan should talk to former selector Ajinkya Rahane
A former national selector said that Sarfaraz Khan should discuss his role with the Mumbai team management and senior player Ajinkya Rahane, adding that batting at No. 5 or 6 will not help him make a comeback into the team.
“Sarfaraz should have a chat with the Mumbai team management and their most senior player, Ajinkya Rahane and, perhaps, try to bat at No. 3, where he may have to play the new ball. If he keeps batting at No. 5 or 6, it will not help. India have more all-round options for those positions.
“Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy… if all are fit and available, they will occupy the middle order, being multi-skilled players,” a former national selector with knowledge of the development told PTI. When Pant gets injured, Dhruv Jurel will bat at number 5 or 6.
Sarfaraz Khan is behind Rajat Patidar and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the selection order.
Sarfaraz Khan has lagged behind Rajat Patidar and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the selection order. Patidar had modest performances in his brief Test stint against England in early 2024, but scored three centuries and three fifties, including a double, in his last eight innings in first-class cricket.
Gaikwad has strengthened his case with scores of 184, 91 and a half-century in his recent matches. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz had a poor performance against New Zealand, where he failed in four consecutive innings on spin-friendly pitches.
With India’s top and lower middle order already settled, the No. 3 spot appears to be their only opening comeback in the Test setup. However, the batsman has to adapt to facing the new ball and consistently perform well under pressure.
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