Sarfaraz Khan, who was dropped from India’s Test squad for the England tour, responded with a commanding 76-ball century in a two-day warm-up game between the Test squad and India A in Beckenham before the first Test match at Headingley. The 27-year-old Mumbai batsman, who has faced multiple exclusions from the national Test side, showcased his batting prowess with 15 fours and two sixes before being retired out to give opportunities to other batsmen. This century follows his impressive knock of 92 against the England Lions in Canterbury earlier this month, further highlighting his consistent performance in English conditions. The decision to exclude Sarfaraz from the Test squad, announced last month, has sparked discussions about selection criteria, particularly given his recent performances and domestic record. Former India opener Aakash Chopra expressed his concerns about Sarfaraz’s exclusion, stating: “Sarfaraz Khan hasn’t done anything wrong thus far. In fact, he hasn’t done anything wrong till now. The one match he played, he scored 90-plus runs. He couldn’t score a hundred, but he scored runs. After that, you didn’t play him in the next match, and he is not part of the Test team.”
Chopra further elaborated on Sarfaraz’s situation: “He hasn’t failed in England, Australia and South Africa thus far, but you haven’t given him a chance. It is not a good story. I can understand if you don’t have confidence in his technique or playing style, that he might not be able to score runs there, then you have to take a call. Then don’t send him with India A also, because you have a pre-conceived notion.” Sarfaraz’s recent red-ball cricket journey includes a significant innings of 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October 2024, followed by only three more red-ball games before a nearly six-month break from the format. Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Chopra questioned the selection logic: “If you think he can make runs, and that’s why he has been picked for the India A squad, then play him in the India Test team too. What wrong has he done? He made a ton in Bengaluru. Then he failed in two matches, but no one else scored in those matches. He did not even play a single match in Australia, in fact, he was not even part of the conversation. So, in such a scenario, one might think that something wrong is happening with him. What has he done wrong? Maybe, absolutely nothing. But he is not getting a place in the XI. in fact, he is not in the scheme of things, which is a little sad, if your name is Sarfaraz Khan.” The selection committee, led by chairman Ajit Agarkar, opted for veteran Karun Nair instead of Sarfaraz, citing team management decisions. Agarkar explained the selection decision: “Sometimes you just have to make good decisions. Sarfaraz, I know he got a 100 in the first Test (vs New Zealand) and then didn’t get runs. Sometimes it’s decisions the team management takes. Whether it’s fair on somebody or unfair on someone, those are the choices that you make in the best interest of the team.” The warm-up game performance in Beckenham serves as Sarfaraz’s latest statement to the national selectors, continuing his push for inclusion in the Test squad through consistent performances at various levels.
