‘It’s an abuse’ – Former India seamer lashes out at selectors for snubbing Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan will not give up easily. Despite not being chosen for the first two Tests against Australia, despite averaging over 100 in the previous three Ranji Trophy competitions (including the current one), he did not quit.

He was discouraged, cried, and even posted Instagram stories of his historic stats. When his club, Mumbai, was in trouble against New Delhi, Sarfaraz hit an incredible century — his third of the season — in the first opportunity he received after being left out of India’s Test squad.

The 25-year-old’s 125 runs off 155 balls at the Feroz Shah Kotla was a major factor in Mumbai’s ability to reach 293 before being bowled out on the opening day of their Group B encounter against longtime rivals Delhi.

It’s an abuse to domestic cricket, almost as if this platform doesn’t matter: Venkatesh Prasad

Sarfaraz celebrated his hundred by leaping into the air and roaring so loudly that everyone in the Arun Jaitley Stadium had to pay the note. The late singer Sidhu Moosewala was then honored by him slapping his thighs. The energy was raw, the emotions were genuine.

“Hundred and counting. Yet another impressive knock from Sarfaraz Khan,” Indian Cricket Board’s domestic’s Twitter handle shared the video with the caption.

“The post went viral instantly but it also attracted criticism for ignoring the right-hander from the Test side. Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad used strong words to remind the selectors about Sarfaraz. He said Sarfaraz’s non-selection is “an abuse of domestic cricket,” Prasad tweeted slamming the reports against Sarafaraz’s fitness.

Not having him in the Test Team despite 3 blockbuster domestic seasons is not only unfair on Sarfaraz Khan, but it’s an abuse to domestic cricket,almost as if this platform doesn’t matter. And he is FIT to score those runs. As far as body weight goes, there are many with more kgs https://t.co/kenO5uOlSp

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 17, 2023

“Not having him in the Test Team despite 3 blockbuster domestic seasons is not only unfair on Sarfaraz Khan, but it’s an abuse to domestic cricket, almost as if this platform doesn’t matter. And he is fit to score those runs. As far as body weight goes, there are many with more kgs,” the former Indian pacer added.

Sarfaraz has scored 1,910 runs, at an average of 136.42, in just 12 games over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. In 18 innings, he not only hit 11 fifty-strikes but also seven centuries. Averaging 134.64 runs per innings with nine hundreds, five fifties, two double hundreds, and a triple tonne since 2019, the Mumbai batsman has scored 2,289 runs in 22 innings.