What does it take to make it to Team India despite scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket? A lot. Sarfaraz Khan may be disheartened after yet another selection snub from IND vs WI Test squad but BCCI has sent a clear message: work on fitness and off-field discipline. And his poor show in IPL 2023 had nothing to do with non-selection in India vs West Indies series.
His weakness against short ball also played no part in the exclusion. The reasons aren’t even cricket-related. Rather, BCCI and the selectors are not happy with Sarfaraz’s fitness as well as his on and off-field discipline.
“Are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reasons is his fitness which isn’t exactly of international standard. He has to work hard, maybe shed weight and comeback leaner and fitter as it’s not just batting fitness that is sole criteria for selection,” a BCCI source told PTI.
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Sarfaraz Khan has scored 2566 runs in the last three Ranji seasons. Even Sunil Gavaskar, the batting legend, slammed the selectors for his exclusion.
Sarfaraz Khan in last three Ranji Trophy seasons:
- 928 runs in 2019/20
- 982 in 2022-23
- 656 in 2022-23
The 25-year-old has a an impressive career average of 79.65 after 37 First Class games. But when it came to India selection, it was Ruturaj Gaikwad and his Mumbai teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal who got the nod instead of him.
“The angry reactions are understandable but I can tell you with some degree of certainty that the reason behind Sarfaraz getting ignored time and again is not just cricketing one. There are multiple reasons for which he hasn’t been considered,” a BCCI official privy to selection developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Disciplinary issues
While fitness has been a major concern BCCI and the selectors have always shielded themselves behind, off-field discipline is another reason.
“His conduct on and off the field hasn’t exactly been top-notch. Certain things said, certain gestures made and some incidents have been taken note of. A bit more disciplined approach would only do him a world of good. Hopefully, Sarfaraz along with his father and coach Naushad Khan will work on those aspects,” the senior official added.
Interestingly, Sarfaraz Khan went on a wild celebration after notching up a century against Delhi earlier this year during a Ranji Trophy game. Erstwhile selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma was watching the game from the stands and the celebration did not go down well.
Before that, during the 2022 Ranji Trophy final, his conduct during a break had irked MP coach and Mumbai stalwart Chandrakant Pandit.
Is there a way back for Sarfaraz Khan?
As of now, it will be difficult for Sarfaraz to make it to the team. Right now, according to the pecking order, Ajinkya Rahane is at No. 5 and Gaikwad is the reserve middle-order batter who can also be used as a floater.
So once Rahane fails, Gaikwad will get a chance. Also, it is difficult to rule out Suryakumar Yadav, who is playing Duleep Trophy for West Zone. And if Shreyas Iyer gets fit, then the road to an international call-up could get much tougher for Sarfaraz.
“Just think about it. Why was Sarfaraz not even among the reserves for the World Test Championship? Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal were the two reserves after Ruturaj pulled out due to his marriage,” the official said.
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