Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar lambasted the selectors for not considering Sarfaraz Khan for international assignments after his stunning performances in domestic cricket. The 28-year-old left many impressed with his superb knock of 157 runs from just 75 deliveries for Mumbai against Goa in the latest round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The inning included 9 boundaries and 14 towering sixes as the Shardul Thakur-led side posted a mammoth total of 444/8 in 50 overs.
Sarfaraz had also played a robust knock of 55 against Uttarakhand in Mumbai's clash against Uttarakhand in the second round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Additionally, he had also maintained a superb form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and had scored 329 runs from just seven games.
Sarfaraz's international career so far
Despite his stellar batting displays at the domestic circuit, Sarfaraz hasn't made an international appearance since November, 2024. Moreover, he has only played six Tests so far for India and hasn't earned a single cap in both ODIs and T20Is. Vengsarkar criticised the selectors for not giving the batter a chance and remarked that he was left "baffled" with his complete exclusion from the squad.
“You know, the thing is, it’s really baffling for me that he’s not picked in any format for India, when he has done well so consistently, even for India also when he got an opportunity," Vengsarkar told The Times of India.
“I watched him and (Devdutt) Padikkal batting together against England in Dharamshala (March 2024). It was a crucial session. They batted beautifully and forged together an important partnership, which ultimately helped India win the Test match," he added.
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Vengsarkar further said that Sarfaraz is good enough to play in all three formats and added that it is a "shame" to see selectors totally neglecting such a great talent.
"And after that (home series against England), he didn’t get an opportunity (to play another Test). Of course, he was on the tour of Australia (the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), but he wasn’t given a chance at all, and that really baffles me, because he’s a good enough player to play in all formats of the game. Such a talent has been ignored and neglected. It’s a real shame!" Vengsarkar further said.
Sarfaraz for New Zealand ODIs?
It remains to be seen if Sarfaraz's performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be good enough to get him a spot in India's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand that will begin from January 11.