Sarfaraz Khan has once again been left out of India’s Test squad, this time for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, beginning next week. The team was selected last month, and Sarfaraz’s omission raised eyebrows—especially after he smashed a century off just 76 balls in an intra-squad match between India A and the main Indian Test team. His brilliant knock sent a strong message to the team management.
Before this, Sarfaraz had scored 92 runs against England Lions. He was also part of the Indian squad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but was not given a chance to play. This latest snub has triggered reactions from many, including former India cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra, who questioned the selectors’ inconsistent approach.
Aakash Chopra Speaks Out
On his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said:
“Sarfaraz Khan hasn’t done anything wrong so far. In the only match he played, he scored more than 90 runs. He couldn’t get a hundred, but he made runs. After that, he wasn’t played again and now he’s not part of the Test squad.”
“He hasn’t failed in England, Australia, or South Africa—but he’s never been given a chance either. That’s not a good story. I can understand if you don’t trust his technique or his playing style. If you think he might not score runs there, then you have to take a call. But if that’s the case, then why send him to India A either? If you’ve already made up your mind, what’s the point?”
Also Read-: Asia Cup 2025 Update: India to Avoid the Tournament; Pakistan to Play Tri-Series against Afghanistan & UAE
Sarfaraz’s Past Performances
Sarfaraz had scored a brilliant 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru last October, but opportunities since then have been limited. Aakash Chopra added:
“If you believe he can score runs, and that’s why he’s in the India A team, then he should also be in the India Test team. What has he done wrong? He scored a hundred in Bengaluru. Then he failed in two matches—but others also didn’t score in those games. He didn’t play a single match in Australia and wasn’t even part of the scheme of things. So in such a situation, one might feel something unfair is going on. He hasn’t done anything wrong, yet he’s not in the playing XI or even in the bigger plan. That’s sad—especially if your name is Sarfaraz Khan.”
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar’s Defence
When asked about Sarfaraz’s exclusion, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said:
“Sometimes you just have to make tough decisions. I know Sarfaraz scored a hundred in his first Test (against New Zealand), then didn’t score in the next few innings. Sometimes team management makes decisions—whether fair or unfair for some. These are the choices we make in the best interest of the team.”
Despite proving his form repeatedly, Sarfaraz Khan continues to be overlooked, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in selection policies.
