Credit: X
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed has stepped into controversy again as she asserted that Sarfaraz Khan has been omitted from India’s team against South Africa for upcoming two Tests due to his religion. She denounced Sarfaraz’s snub from the upcoming red-ball series and accused India head coach Gautam Gambhir of expressing prejudice towards the right-handed Mumbai batter due to his religion. Sarfaraz hasn’t been picked up in India’s Test team after November 2024. His last international outing came against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium. Sarfaraz recently shed weight to make himself completely fit to play the sport.
Taking to X, Shama Mohamed wrote, “Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname ! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter.” Shama got support from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan, who accused BCCI selectors for targeting Sarfaraz for non-cricketing reasons. “When a man is averaging so much, there’s definitely more to it. Why hasn’t he been picked?” said Pathan while speaking to India Today.
Atul Wassan dismissed Shama Mohamed’s allegations
Former India player Atul Wassan has rejected Mohamed’s accusations. He called the Congress leader’s allegations preposterous. "I think it is very sad. I agree that Sarfaraz has not been given the respect and the chances he deserves. But Congress' allegations are preposterous. This has never happened in Indian cricket. Time and again, we hear the religion card being played - even in Azhar's time. I do not believe it is because of any religious angle," remarked Atul to ANI.
Shama also hit the headlines in February, when she fat-shamed India veteran opener Rohit Sharma, who was leading India in the Champions Trophy 2025. “Rohit is fat for a sportsperson. He needs to lose weight before adding that he is the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had,” wrote Shama on X.
