BCCI’s selection committee on Friday (June 23) announced India’s 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies and Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan once again failed to make the cut despite being so prolific in domestic cricket over the last three seasons.
The right-hander amassed more than 900 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons. He continued his brilliance in the 2022-23 edition of Ranji Trophy as well, scoring 556 runs from six matches at an average of 92.66 with three centuries.
No wonder, the selection committee’s decision to overlook Sarfaraz has triggered an outrage in the Indian cricket fraternity.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz’s snub has been linked to fitness and disciplinary issues but sources in Mumbai cricket stated that there was no truth in the claims.
Sarfaraz's gesture of pointing finger towards the dressing room after slamming a century against Delhi in a Ranji game earlier this year was reportedly not appreciated. Apparently, it was as a dig at one of the selectors following the action from the stands.
"Sarfaraz's celebration during a Ranji match in Delhi was meant for his teammates and coach Amol Mujumdar, who had doffed his hat. The selector present was Salil Ankola and not Chetan Sharma. Sarfaraz took the team out of pressure situation and the celebration was one of relief," a source close to the cricketer told PTI on Monday (June 26).
"Is it even wrong to be exalted in your celebration and that too when you are pointing towards your own dressing room," the source said.
In another incident, Sarfaraz Khan’s behaviour during a break in the 2022 Ranji Trophy final had seemingly irked MP coach Chandrakant Pandit.
However, the source said that Pandit always has been affectionate towards Sarfaraz.
"Chandu sir treats him like a son. He has always had good things to say about him and knows him since he was 14 years old. He would never be angry on Sarfaraz," the source stated.
The current Indian team has a fitness criteria of 16.5 and Sarfaraz Khan has passed it. Hence, it remains a mystery as why the Mumbai batter is constantly ignored by the national selectors.
(With PTI Inputs)
