Shashi Tharoor slams BCCI selectors for ignoring Sarfaraz Khan despite stellar domestic record

Mumbai’s elite batsman Sarfaraz Khan was particularly missing when the BCCI selectors announced the India A squad for a four-day match series against South Africa A last week. The decision raised eyebrows, with questions questioning the logic behind excluding Sarfaraz, who recently transformed his physique and performed well during the India A tour in England.

With an impressive tally of 4,759 runs in 56 matches at an average of 65.19 in first-class cricket, Sarfaraz represented India in all six Test matches, amassing 371 runs including a century and three half-centuries. His last Test appearance was against New Zealand in November 2024.

Although Sarfaraz was included in India’s tour of Australia late last year, he has not been part of the Test squad since then. His exclusion from the India A team sparked a significant debate about his prospects on the international stage.

The treatment meted out to Sarfaraz Khan also drew criticism from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who expressed disappointment with the selectors. Tharoor’s remarks highlighted the Mumbai player’s outstanding performance in both first-class and international cricket.

“This is frankly a disgrace. @SarfarazA_54 averages over 65 in first-class cricket, scored 50 on his Test debut and 150 in a Test we lost, scored 92 in his only tour match in England (and a century in a friendly against the full Indian Test team) – and still finds himself outside the selectors’ frame of reference,” Tharoor wrote on his X account.

This is clearly an insult. @SarfarazA_54 He averages over 65 in first-class cricket, he scored 50 in the first Test match and 150 in a Test we lost, he made 92 in the only tour match in England (and a century in a practice match against the entire Indian Test team) – and he’s still finding himself… https://t.co/gtq1ni03DQ

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) 29 October 2025

Additionally, Tharoor praised the impressive performances of Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw and Karun Nair in domestic cricket and highlighted the importance of their runs to their IPL success.

“Also very happy to see @ajinkyarahane88, @PrithviShaw and @karun126 competing in the #RanjiTrophy. Our selectors are too quick to jettison proven talent to bet on ‘potential’. These are players who have proven themselves time and time again. The selectors should also value runs in domestic cricket, not just #IPL; otherwise why would anyone bother playing Ranji?”

A recent report from PTI stated that Sarfaraz Khan’s absence from the squad was attributed to Rishabh Pant’s return to the red-ball format. With Pant ranked 5th in the India A squad, Sarfaraz realized that he had no place. In fact, it has been suggested that Sarfaraz should aim to reach No. 3 for the Mumbai team in the Ranji Trophy if he hopes to regain his place in the national team.

Currently, the only position available in the senior Indian team is at number 3, which Sai Sudharsan is yet to cement with his performances.

Also read| 2025 Women’s World Cup: India vs Australia in ODIs – Complete record and key stats of knockout matches