Last week, the BCCI selection committee announced Team India’s squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
While most of the picks were on the expected lines, there was one notable name missing from the squad. Despite being so prolific in domestic cricket, Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan failed to find a spot in India's 17-member Test squad.
Sarfaraz has taken the Indian domestic circuit by storm with his batting exploits in the last two seasons. He amassed more than 900 runs in the past two editions of the Ranji Trophy – 928 in 2019-20 & 982 in 2021-22.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, the right-hander is once again making a mark, registering scores of 5, 126*, 75, 20, 162, 15* and 28* so far.
While the fans and experts were left baffled by the selection committee's call to ignore him, Sarfaraz Khan has taken the latest snub in his stride
"When the team was announced and my name wasn't there, I was very sad. Anyone in my place in this world would've been sad, because I had expected to be picked, but wasn't (chosen). Yesterday, I was sad the whole day, when we travelled from Guwahati to Delhi. I was thinking about what and why it happened. I was feeling very lonely. I cried too," Sarfaraz told TOI in an interview.
"I called my dad to Delhi. He spoke to me, I practiced with him, and then felt better. Initially, I was thinking about why I wasn't selected. Now, I'm thinking that since it's (selection) not in my hands, not in my control, I can't do anything about it. What's in my hands in performance-whether it's while playing for India or the Ranji Trophy," he added.
Sarfaraz feels sad that his father's dream to see him in India colours hasn’t been fulfilled yet.
"When I was a kid, I used to play cricket to come out of poverty. When I grew up, I realized that my father dreamt that one of his sons should go on to play for India. I owe my extraordinary performances to my father. It's just that I feel sad for him, at times. Otherwise, I'm very happy in my life. God has given me a lot," he said.
When asked if he has spoken to the selectors, Sarfaraz revealed: "During the Ranji Trophy final at Bangalore, when I scored a century, I met the selectors. I was told that 'you'll get your opportunity in Bangladesh. Be ready for that.' Recently, I met Chetan Sharma sir (chief selector) while we were checking in at the hotel in Mumbai. He asked me not to feel disheartened, and that my time will come. Good things take time to happen. You're very close (to an India berth). You'll get your chance. So, when I played another important knock, I had expectations. But it's alright."
He's now taking ‘inspiration' from the national call-up of his Mumbai teammates Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav.
"See, even Prithvi didn't have a good score in the last 2.5 years, but after one good knock, he's in India's T20 team. I'm hoping that in the coming days, the selectors will pick me for the next two Tests (against the Aussies) just like the way they picked Prithvi and Surya now. Like all budding cricketers, I too aspire to play for the country. I can see my dream ‘live'" Sarfaraz remarked.
"I'm sure they had certain plans in mind when they picked the Indian team for the first two Tests (against Australia). Since it's not in my hands, I don't want to think too much about it, otherwise I'll go in depression," he concluded.
(With TOI Inputs)
