Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from India A series against South Africa A. While Chopra lauded the selection of regular Test players for the two four-day matches, he was left surprised by Khan’s exclusion.
Khan has scored 371 runs in six Test matches at an average of 37.10. The right-hander was included in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia but didn’t get a chance in the playing XI.
Subsequently, the Mumbai batter was overlooked for the five-match Test series against England.
“If you see the players, you will say we are very serious. Rishabh Pant is playing as the captain. Sai Sudharsan is the vice-captain, who was playing Tests just now. You will see Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna in the second match,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“This is what is called seriousness. I really like it. If you are preparing for a Test series and have a chance to play a four-day game, play it. Now everyone has started playing. It’s a clear diktat that you are not adding to your skill set if you are sitting at home. However, there is one question for sure. Sarfaraz’s name isn’t there. I am unable to understand what is happening with him,” he added.
Chopra said Khan should have been selected in India A irrespective of his performances in the Ranji Trophy.
“He wasn’t selected for some time after he returned (from England), as he was injured. That’s understandable, but he is playing now. In my opinion, it does not matter whether he scored runs in the Ranji Trophy or not because he has been in the original squad. He has been part of the Indian Test team,” he said.
“So his name should come whenever an India-A team is selected. His name is not there for both matches. Why is it not there? It’s a big question. I am sure there is communication, and if there is no communication, I will be very, very sad and disappointed. I really hope those conversations are happening. It’s extremely necessary to explain to Sarfaraz the roadmap for him,” Chopra observed.
Sarfaraz Khan has performed consistently in the domestic circuit, and thus his exclusion is surprising.
