The BCCI selectors’ decision to continuously ignore the talented and in-form batter Sarfaraz Khan for the Indian team selection has led to heavy criticism and debate among the cricket fraternity and fans.
The right-hander scored 928 runs and 982 runs in the last two Ranji Trophy editions, and even in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022–23, he has already amassed 556 runs in six matches at 92.66 with the help of three centuries.
Despite his stunning performance, Sarfaraz was not picked for the first two Tests of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy four-Test series against Australia at home.
It led many to slam the national selectors, but India and Tamil Nadu cricketer Abhinav Mukund believes that it was just a matter of a vacant position in the team, so the Mumbai star should just wait for his chance, like Jaydev Unadkat, who was recalled to the side after 12 years in December last year.
Abhinav Mukund told News 18: “I don’t think so. I think Sarfaraz should be there. Let’s keep that point straight. I think Sarfaraz has done enough to warrant a place in the Indian team. But, if you look at Ranji performance not being rewarded in this case, yes. But if you look at Jaydev Unadkat, they drafted him into the team after the sensational Ranji trophy in the last two or three years.”
However, the Mumbai cricketer admitted that Sarfaraz has already done enough to get a place in Team India, but there should be a vacancy for him to get fit, and that’s probably not available presently.
Mukund signed off by saying, “So, I think it’s just a case of the vacancies and the positions available. They’ve gone with a call that they feel is right for the first two tests by bringing in Suryakumar Yadav. I may or may not agree with that, but the thing is, there needs to be an opening for you to get in. You can score thousands of runs, but if someone else is doing really well there it’s very difficult for you to, there should be a vacancy for you to get a job, right? Yeah. It’s just like that.”
