Home
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s Test squad on June 23 for two-Test series against West Indies next month. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad were included in the squad as Cheteshwar Pujara got dropped but once again domestic cricket run-machine Sarfaraz Khan was ignored. While the decision triggered many former cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar, the reason behind Sarfaraz’s delayed India call-up are his ‘fitness level’ and ‘off-field conduct’.
"The angry reactions are understandable but I can tell you with some degree of certainty that the reason behind Sarfaraz getting ignored time and again is not just cricketing one. There are multiple reasons for which he hasn't been considered," a BCCI official privy to selection developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
"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 sole criteria for selection," the source added.
Sarfaraz has a total of 2,566 runs under his belt in last three Ranji seasons. He has an average of 79.65 from 37 First-Class games which makes him hard to ignore every time the squad is announced. The BCCI official also went on to say that Sarfaraz’s fitness is not the only concern.
"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.
As per reports, Sarfaraz's celebrations after scoring a century against Delhi earlier this year in Ranji clash wasn't well received by former selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma who was present at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Also, last year, Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit was not impressed with his behaviour during a break.
The source was also asked whether his dismal IPL performance and discomfort against short ball reasons behind the snub to which he replied, "That's a perception built by media. Do you think there could be any cricketing reason? When Mayank Agarwal broke into Indian Test team, he scored 1000 first class runs in one month. Did MSK Prasad's committee check his IPL credentials? Ditto for Hanuma Vihari, who came through domestic and A team ranks. If their IPL and white ball record wasn't checked then, why would SS Das's committee reinvent the wheel now? Simple. The reason is not a cricketing one."
It looks like Sarfaraz may have to wait longer than expected to get his chance to play Test cricket for India with him not in reckoning even as a backup. With Shreyas Iyer recovering from his injury later this year, his maiden Test cap’s wait may continue this year.
"Just think about it. Why was Sarfaraz not even among the reserves for the World Test Championship? Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jasiwal were the two reserves after Ruturaj pulled out due to his marriage," he added.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
