The announcement of India’s Test and ODI squad for the tour of the West Indies brought some major changes, particularly in the Test format. While senior batsman Ajinkya Rahane was appointed vice-captain, Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped after a disappointing performance in the World Test Championship final.
However, one notable omission from the squad was Sarfaraz Khan, despite his consistent performances in domestic cricket. Former India opener Aakash Chopra criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the lack of clarity surrounding Sarfaraz’s continued exclusion, calling for transparency regarding its reasons.
In a video on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra expressed his concerns over the absence of Sarfaraz Khan from the national squad. He questioned the BCCI about the reasons behind it. He highlighted Sarfaraz’s exceptional performances over the past three years, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, where he has consistently outperformed his peers. Chopra emphasized that if a player with such outstanding numbers is consistently overlooked, it raises questions about the selection process and the message being sent to talented cricketers.
“What should Sarfaraz do? If you look at his numbers in the past 3 years, he’s head and shoulders above the rest. He’s scored everywhere. What message does it send if he’s not selected?” Chopra questioned on his official YouTube channel.
Chopra urged the BCCI to clarify the issue if there are reasons unrelated to Sarfaraz’s domestic performances. He suggested that if other factors influence the selection decision, the board should publicly state them. By doing so, the BCCI would ensure transparency and offer an explanation to Sarfaraz and the cricketing fraternity. Without a clear understanding of the criteria used for selection, it becomes difficult for players to assess their chances and work on their shortcomings.
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“This is a question worth asking. If there’s some other reason, something you and I don’t know, make it public. Just say that you didn’t like that particular thing about Sarfaraz, and that’s why you’re not considering him. But we don’t know if there’s something like that. I don’t know if someone told Sarfaraz about that. If you don’t value first-class runs, it leaves a sour taste in the mouth,” said the former India opener.
The former India opener emphasized the importance of valuing performances in domestic cricket. Sarfaraz and Abhimanyu Easwaran, another impressive domestic performer, were excluded from the Test squad. Chopra voiced his concern, stating that overlooking players who consistently score runs in first-class cricket leaves a sense of disappointment. Recognizing and rewarding outstanding performances in the domestic circuit motivates players and instills faith in the system.
