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There was no place for the consistent middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India A squads for the upcoming two unofficial Test matches against South Africa A. The surprising omission has left many fans and cricket pundits questioning the rationale behind the selection, especially considering Sarfaraz’s recent form and improvements.
Sarfaraz Khan snub sparks fan outrage as BCCI announces India A squad for South Africa tour
The India A squad announcement for the two four-day matches against South Africa A included Rishabh Pant as captain, who is recovering from a fractured foot sustained earlier this year. Sai Sudharsan was appointed his deputy. The squad featured notable names such as Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Mhatre, Rajat Patidar, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel. However, Sarfaraz Khan, who has been a reliable middle-order performer, was not selected. Fans on social media expressed surprise and frustration at BCCI’s decision, questioning why a player of Sarfaraz’s caliber was left out despite his consistent performances in domestic cricket and previous India A tours.
Critics highlighted that Sarfaraz had notably excelled during the England tour for India A, scoring a crucial 92 runs in the first unofficial Test. Although an injury had temporarily side lined him, Sarfaraz utilized the time to work on his fitness and returned stronger. His efforts bore fruit as he shed significant weight and made a solid comeback in the Ranji Trophy, most recently scoring 74 runs for Mumbai. Despite these credentials, the selection committee chose to overlook him once again, leaving cricket fans baffled and disappointed.
Also READ: Rishabh Pant returns as BCCI announces India A squad for South Africa A unofficial Tests
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨 🚨
Hello ,Aap se request hai ke please sarfaraz Khan ko ab domestic cricket mein bhi mat khilao.
Kisi acche player ko khilao uski jagah jab aap ko usse team mein selection hi nahi karna hai to kyun khilate ho.
Regards,
Cricket fan— Shakur Surve (@Shakurs17)
Where is Sarfaraz Khan ?
— SRT (@chinnu231)
Will Sarfaraz Khan ever get a chance?
First-Class (FC)55 matches
4,685 runs
65.98average
16/15 100/50s
Highest Score 301*International debut: Sarfaraz made his Test debut for India in February 2024 against England, scoring twin fifties in his first match.
Now/
Sarfaraz is…— Musharaf45 (@Mushara78386844)
Sarfaraz Khan gets ignored again from the India A team.
— Mr. Cricket UAE (@mrcricketuae)
Sarfaraz khan not even in India A squad😲.When did he become this bad?
— Nikhil (@nikhil_exe9)
Sajish hai inki Sarfaraz khan ko aage badne nhi denge Wasim Jaffer sir ki tarah haal kr denge mauke hi nhi denge
— AtifOnCricket 🏏 (@cricatif)
Feel for Sarfaraz Khan…!!!!! 💔
He played in the England tour for India A team, scored 92 runs in first unofficial match but then out of the picture due to injury – improved his fitness, lost lots weight returned to Ranji Trophy (made important 74 runs) but no place in the…
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
THANK YOU SO MUCH BCCI FOR NOT CONSIDERED SARFARAZ KHAN IN SQUAD.
Uska performance accha nahi har har baar ki tarah jaldi 0ut ho jata hai.Itna ranji matches khela hai phir bhi shayad ek century bhi nahi lagaya hai.
Team mein to jo jo 30+ run banata hai usko mauka milta hai.
— Shakur Surve (@Shakurs17)
Meet Sarfaraz Khan:
– he avg 65+ in FC
– he did great vs Eng in his debit series when India were 0-1 down
– he scored 150 runs 2 tests ago
– reduced 17 kg weight
– passed yoyo testNot picked for Ind-A, another career destroyed by Agarkar & Gambhir!!
— 𝐈𝐂𝐓 ᴬᵁᴿᴬ🇮🇳 (@AURAICTT)
🚨NO SARFARAZ KHAN FOR INDIA A🚨
Sarfaraz khan has scored tons of hundred and runs in domestic cricket but bcci always sidelined him when it comes to Indian team he is a victim of ugly politics of bcci and Gautam Gambhir.
Shame on bcci and coach GG 🤡”
— 93 (@93Yorker)
Someone please make me understand what Sarfaraz Khan did wrong?
-He scored 92 vs ENG in an unofficial match and then got injured.
-Worked on his fitness and lost a lots of weight.
-Made a comeback in Ranji, and scored some important runs there.
Now, he’s not even in the India…
— Almus (@almusila)
Insights on Sarfaraz Khan’s form and exclusion
Sarfaraz’s exclusion is puzzling, considering his recent first-class form and the progress he has demonstrated in maintaining fitness. He has been in the spotlight for trimming down his physique significantly—losing 17 kgs around mid-2025—to enhance his game and increase his chances of selection for the national team. His red-ball credentials remain strong, having played vital innings for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and impressing during India A’s overseas tours.
It is also worth noting that selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar had earlier justified Sarfaraz’s exclusion from the Test squad citing fitness concerns and a minor quadriceps injury. However, Sarfaraz resumed competitive cricket after the injury and delivered commendably in domestic cricket. Some analysts see the continued snub as part of a broader selection dilemma given the abundance of middle-order talent in Indian cricket, while others argue that Sarfaraz deserves a fair opportunity considering his proven performances.
