Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed disappointment with the Indian selectors for excluding Sarfaraz Khan from the national squad despite his outstanding performance in the Ranji Trophy. Sarfaraz currently boasts an average of 82 in the tournament, placing him behind only Vijay Merchant (98.35) and Sachin Tendulkar (87.37).
BCCI Announcement and Sarfaraz Khan’s Exclusion
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the Indian squads for the upcoming series against West Indies, and Sarfaraz Khan, along with a few other players who had a remarkable domestic season, was left out. Sarfaraz has been one of the most consistent performers, becoming the second-highest run-scorer with an average of 82 in the history of first-class cricket for players accumulating over 2000 runs.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Impressive Records and PerformanceM
Sarfaraz Khan’s remarkable batting records speak for themselves. He has scored over 900 runs in two consecutive Ranji seasons, achieving a total of 3,505 runs in 37 first-class matches at an average of 79.65, including 13 centuries. Despite his exceptional performances in domestic cricket, the 25-year-old Mumbai-based batsman did not find a place in India’s squad for the upcoming West Indies series.
Gavaskar’s Criticism and Questions
Sunil Gavaskar, now a cricket commentator, has questioned the BCCI selection committee’s decision to exclude Sarfaraz Khan. He pointed out Sarfaraz’s average of 100 over the past three seasons and emphasized the need to acknowledge his performances. Gavaskar suggested that if Sarfaraz’s efforts are not recognized, he should consider giving up playing in the Ranji Trophy and focus solely on the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he believes he is only being considered for the shorter format. Gavaskar also questioned the selection of four opening batsmen for two Test matches, considering the opposition’s bowling attack is not as formidable as the West Indies teams of the past.
Upcoming Series and World Test Championship
The Indian team is set to participate in a series against West Indies, featuring two Tests, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and a five-match T20 International series, starting on July 12. This series marks the beginning of India’s campaign in the World Test Championship Cycle (2023-25), which commenced with the ongoing Ashes 2023 Test series between England and Australia.
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