Sarfaraz Khan, the ultra-talented middle-order batter for Mumbai, was recently snubbed from the Indian Test team after an incredible Ranji Trophy campaign. Last season, in the domestic first-class championship, the 25-year-old cricketer amassed 556 runs at an average of 92.66, including three centuries.
On June 23, Friday, the Indian selection committee picked the squad for a two-match Test series against the West Indies, set to begin on July 12 at Windsor Park in Dominica, followed by a second game beginning on June 20 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. The most noticeable addition to the national squad was the introduction of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has had better success as a player in white-ball cricket in comparison to red-ball cricket.
After the non-inclusion of Sarfaraz Khan, who averages 79.65 in the Ranji Trophy in 37 matches, the entire social media and many cricket experts have come in support of the young man in his quest for selection in the India Test team. The Mumbai-born cricketer also posted an Instagram story of his own, which has gone viral online.
The youngster shared a pic of cricket practice nets on the social networking site with the caption, “One Love.” In the post background, the classic Bollywood song of the movie Lakshya was playing, which reads, “Roke Tujhko Aandhiyaan, Ya Zameen Aur Aasmaan, Paayega Jo Lakshya Hai Tera. Lakshya Toh Har Haal Mein Paana Hai”.
Sunil Gavaskar, in a chat with India Today, lambasted the Indian selection committee while wondering what more Sarfaraz Khan should do to get the national call-up in Tests. He was quoted as saying, “Sarfaraz Khan has been scoring at an average of 100 in all past three seasons. What does he have to do to be picked in the squad? He might not be in the XI, but you pick him in the team.”
“Tell him that his performances are being recognized. Otherwise, stop playing Ranji Trophy. Say, it's of no use, you just play IPL and think you are good enough for the red ball game as well,” the Indian cricketing legend further said.
Notably, in the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season, Sarfaraz Khan scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75, with four hundred-plus scores. A couple of seasons prior, he also put together 928 runs at an average of 154.66 with three tons.
