Sarfaraz Khan has long been seen as one of the most talented young batters in Indian cricket. Known for his grit and consistency, he earned his Test debut against England in February 2024 and went on to play six matches for India that year. However, his journey took an unexpected turn this week when he was left out of the India A squads for the upcoming two four-day matches against South Africa A. The omission of a player with a first-class batting average of over 65 has left fans, former players and cricket experts stunned.
Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion has sparked a strong reaction across the cricket community, with many calling it unfair. Among those who voiced their disappointment was senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has played alongside Sarfaraz in the Test team. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed confusion and frustration over the decision, saying he found it difficult to understand the logic behind leaving Sarfaraz out of the squad.
According to Ashwin, Sarfaraz Khan has done everything asked of him. He worked on his fitness, lost weight and scored runs consistently. He reminded fans that Sarfaraz even hit a brilliant 150 in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand earlier this year. Despite all that, Ashwin feels the selectors have unfairly closed the door on him. He questioned how a player is supposed to prove himself when he is not even given the platform to play.
Ashwin suggested that decisions like this often make players feel as though the management has stopped considering them altogether. He reflected that such a situation can be deeply demoralizing for a cricketer who is striving to stay relevant and motivated. Ashwin wondered that if Sarfaraz Khan won’t get a chance to play in India A, then where he will perform. He added that if Sarfaraz continues performing well in first class cricket, the selectors will say that he is good at this level but what other options he will have.
The veteran spinner also highlighted the importance of transparent communication between selectors and players. Drawing parallels with former cricketers Subramaniam Badrinath and Manoj Tiwary, Ashwin recalled how they were once told directly that the team wanted to look at new faces but would still consider them if the Indian side needed experienced players. That kind of clarity, he said, was at least respectful and honest.
Ashwin questioned whether such communication exists now. He pointed out inconsistencies in the selection process, noting that while some players like Abhimanyu Easwaran continue to get repeated opportunities with India A, others like Sarfaraz Khan are suddenly dropped without explanation. He added that if selectors truly believe they have seen enough of Sarfaraz, they must apply the same logic to others who have been part of India A setups for years.
Ashwin’s comments have reignited the debate on fair selection and transparent communication in Indian cricket. For Sarfaraz Khan, the message from fans and former players is clear, his talent is undeniable and his story deserves another chance. Well, the selectors will take note of that or not, it remains to be seen.
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