Sarfaraz Khan’s Omission Raises Questions on India's A Selection Policy. Will He Be Able to Make a Strong Comeback Soon?

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Sarfaraz Khan is excluded from the 15-man India A squad for the two first-class games against South Africa A, surprising fans and experts alike. Despite scoring consistently in domestic cricket and losing weight to stay fit, the Mumbai batter is ignored again. The reason, however, has left the cricket enthusiasts shocked.

‘Bizarre’ Reasons 

According to a report in the PTI, Sarfaraz's exclusion was due to the return of Rishabh Pant, who will be making his comeback to competitive cricket for the first time since being sidelined with a toe injury during the tour of England in late July. 

Pant, who has been picked as the captain, is expected to bat at No. 5 in both games, which is his permanent slot in the Indian test setup. This means even if Sarfaraz was picked, he would have only warmed the bench.

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Khan’s Efforts Ignored

Sarfaraz Khan has not been a part of the Indian Test squad since the England tour earlier this year, despite making an impressive start to his career, scoring 371 runs in six Tests at an average of 37.10. He was part of the five-match Test series in Australia late last year, but did not play a single match before being dropped for the England tour.

Sarfaraz Khan has scored 4759 runs at an average of 65.19 in 56 First-Class matches. In the last five years, he has scored 2467 runs in First-Class cricket at an average of 117.47.

Over the summer, he shed 17 kilograms to become leaner and fitter than ever. Still, the BCCI’s decision cannot be entirely contested.

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Getting picked in the India A squad is the clearest indication that a player is part of the larger scheme of things.

What Did Agarkar Say?

Chief BCCI selector Ajit Agarkar said, “Sometimes, you just have to make good decisions. Sarfaraz, I know he got a 100 in the first Test and then didn’t get runs. Sometimes, it’s the decisions the team management takes. At the moment, Karun has scored heaps of runs in domestic (cricket), has played a bit of Test cricket, played a bit of county cricket. With Virat (Kohli) not there, clearly, we’re lacking a bit of experience. We felt his experience could help. We can’t pick 50 players now, so naturally, when you have to pick 18 players, some players will be missing out”.

Intense Competition for a Spot

In the current set-up, No. 3 is the only spot that the selectors aren't quite sure about. Selectors are relying on Sai Sudharsan, who has been picked for the India A matches. Earlier, Karun Nair was experimented with during the England tour, and the veteran batter failed to impress, after which he wasn't recalled.

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Sarfaraz is also facing tough competition from Rajat Patidar and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Patidar had an impressive run, with three hundreds, including a double ton and three fifties across his last eight innings in the last five first-class games, while Gaikwad smashed 184 and 91 and a fifty in his last three first-class outings.

Sarfaraz's Test Hopes 

Cricket analysts feel that Sarfaraz should abandon his usual middle-order batting slot and try to establish himself as a top-order batter; there could be a real chance at his return to the Indian team. 

"Sarfaraz should have a chat with the Mumbai team management and also with their senior-most player, Ajinkya Rahane, and, maybe, try out batting at No. 3 where he might have to play the new ball. If he keeps batting at No. 5 or 6, it won't help. India has more all-around options for those slots.

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"Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Reddy... if all are fit and available, they will occupy the middle-order, being multi-skilled players. When Pant is injured, it will be Dhruv Jurel batting at No. 5 or 6," a former national selector privy to the developments told PTI.

Sarfaraz's consecutive failures against New Zealand on rank turners last year have put him under the scanner. The gutsy Mumbai batter needs to take a leap of faith and try out a new slot to reinvent and return to the national squad.