New Delhi: Sarfaraz Khan has been kept waiting for an India call-up despite his consistency with massive scores in the last three Ranji Trophy seasons, which left his career First Class average only second below the best-ever, Don Bradman (among batsmen with at least 2000 runs). He has been rejected over by the Indian selectors three times already in 2023, the most recent instance occurring with the selection of the 16-person Test squad for the West Indies tour. Legends like Sunil Gavaskar strongly questioned the selectors' choice, but a BCCI official finally spoke out to explain why Sarfaraz had been rejected over so many times.
In each of his last three Ranji Trophy seasons, Sarfaraz scored 2566 runs. In the 2019–20 season, 928 runs were scored; in the 2022–23 season, 982; and in the 2022–23 season, 656. His overall First Class average of 79.65, the best of any Indian batter and second only to Bradman (minimum 50 innings) in 37 appearances, was boosted by his three incredible Ranji seasons. As a result, the Indian cricket community was incensed that Sarfaraz had to make room for a hitter with a lifetime average of just over 42, Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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Under the condition of anonymity, a BCCI official with knowledge of the selection process told PTI that Sarfaraz's non-selection was due to both on- and off-field factors. His fitness was one of the key elements mentioned.
"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," said the official. "Are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reason is his fitness which isn't exactly of international standard."
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