Controversy has once again erupted in Indian cricket. Mumbai’s dashing batsman Sarfaraz Khan was left out of the India A squad against South Africa A.
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin was so upset by this that he lashed out at selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar.
Questions are being raised about Sarfaraz’s omission despite his excellent form and recent weight loss efforts.
Ashwin’s anger, questions the selectors
Ashwin openly spoke in support of Sarfaraz on his YouTube channel.
He said, “When I examined Sarfaraz’s non-selection, I didn’t receive any explanation. I am very sad and feel sorry for him. Had I been the selector, what would I have called him up and said?”
Ashwin further stated that Sarfaraz not only lost 17 kg but also performed brilliantly in recent Test matches.
Fifty runs in three Tests against England and a 150-run innings in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand are proof of this. Yet, he is not included in Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad.
Sarfaraz has an impressive record, yet why is he overlooked?
Over the past five years, Sarfaraz has averaged 117.47 in first-class cricket, including 10 centuries and five half-centuries. His average in 56 first-class matches is 65.19.
Recently, after recovering from injury, he scored 42 and 32 runs against Jammu and Kashmir, but still did not get a place in the India A team.
Ashwin quipped, “If I were Sarfaraz Khan, that is what I would be thinking. He has been dropped from the India A side. It’s literally like the door has been shut.”
He says that it has become difficult for Sarfaraz to get opportunities now, as the selectors have seemingly closed the door on him.
Ashwin also said that it seems as if the selectors or management have decided not to give Sarfaraz a chance anymore.
“And this sort of non-selection leads me to think that someone must have been thinking that we have seen enough of him, and we no longer want him, so we don’t want to go in that direction.”
People on social media have also come out in support of Sarfaraz and are questioning why he is not getting a chance.
Sarfaraz’s 28th birthday was on 22 October, but this time instead of happiness, he got disappointment.
