Despite consecutive tons & consistent performances in three seasons of the Ranji Trophy, Sarfaraz Khan failed to receive his maiden call-up to the Test squad. There have been various doubts & questions surrounding Sarfaraz’s non-selection in the test squad for IND vs WI 2023 series. And finally clearing all doubts, a BCCI Official has opened up on Sarafarz’s exclusion.
BCCI Officials made it clear that his poor performance in IPL & weaknesses against short has no part to play in his exclusion. Instead, it’s his fitness that has played a major obstacle in his selection to the Indian team for WI vs IND test series.
“Are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reasons is his fitness which isn’t exactly of international standard. He has to work hard, maybe shed weight and comeback leaner and fitter as it’s not just batting fitness that is the sole criteria for selection,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Another major reason for Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion is his on-field & off-field conduct which has raised eyebrows. His certain gestures & remarks didn’t go well with the selectors & they want him to work on his conduct to get considered for the National team.
“His conduct on and off the field hasn’t exactly been top-notch. Certain things said, certain gestures made and some incidents have been taken note of. A bit more disciplined approach would only do him a world of good. Hopefully, Sarfaraz along with his father and coach Naushad Khan will work on those aspects,” the senior official added.
IND vs WI 2023: Sarfaraz Khan’s Conduct & Fitness is major hindrance in his Call-up
For the unversed, Sarafraz Khan did a wild celebration after registering a gleaming ton against Delhi during the Ranji Trophy fixture. His celebration didn’t go well with the Chairman of the Selection Committee who was watching the fixture from the stands. Before the also during the Ranji Trophy 2022 final his actions during a break annoyed MP Coach & Mumbai Stalwart Chandrakant Pandit.
Coming to Sarfaraz Khan’s domestic career, the prolific player has a fantastic record in First class Cricket. He has played 37 first-class fixtures at an average of 79.65. Sarfaraz has scored 2566 runs in the last three seasons of Ranji. Even Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the selectors for his exclusion. But The BCCI & national selectors are very clear that such reactions & gestures are not tolerable at the International level & Sarafaraz need to work on them. Sarafraz’s Mumbai teammate, Yashasvi Jaiswal & Ruturaj Gaikwad has been considered for the IND vs WI 2023 series ahead of him. Now it will be worth seeing how Sarfaraz Khan & his Coach would work to get things right for him.
Sarfaraz Khan’s last three Ranji Trophy Seasons Scores:
- 928 runs in 2019/20
- 982 in 2022-23
- 656 in 2022-23
Also read, IND Vs WI 2023: Rinku Singh Likely To Get Call-Up In T20Is
