Sarfaraz Khan neglected by selectors once again

• Sarfaraz Khan has 3,380 runs at an average of 80.47 over 36 first-class games.
• He is second only to Sir Donald Bradman in the history of Test cricket.
• Indian selectors announce 17-man squad for first two Tests against Australia.

Sarfaraz Khan, an Indian batsman with a first-class career average second only to Sir Donald Bradman, claimed he cried after being overlooked for the first two Test matches against Australia.

This season, the 25-year-old has been among the most reliable players in the regional Ranji Trophy competition, scoring 431 runs in Mumbai’s first five games.

In six games last season, Sarfaraz scored 982 runs with a of 122.75, with four hundreds.

The middle-order batsman has 3,380 runs at an average of 80.47 over 36 first-class games so far.

The only other batsman with a higher first-class average who has played at least 50 innings is the late Australian great Bradman (95.14).

“I was depressed the entire day when the team was announced and my name wasn’t on it. I also felt incredibly lonely on the flight from Guwahati to Delhi. He was reported by the Times of India as stating, “I sobbed too.

Sarfaraz then summoned his father, coach Naushad Khan, for assistance through the rough patch.

“I contacted my father in Delhi. He spoke to me, and I practised with him till I felt better.”

On Friday, Indian selectors announced a 17-man squad for the first two Tests of a four-match series against Australia, which begins on February 9 at home.

Suryakumar Yadav received his first Test call-up, while Ishan Kishan, another white-ball specialist, was also chosen to the squad, with first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant recovering from a vehicle accident.

Jasprit Bumrah, the pace spearhead, was ruled out due to fitness concerns.

“I’m sure they (selectors) had specific ideas in mind when they chose the lineup for the first two Tests,” Sarfaraz added.

“I don’t want to worry about it too much because it’s not in my hands; otherwise, I’ll plunge into depression.”

Sarfaraz further denied that he was excluded due of his large body and fitness difficulties.

“…I’m in great shape. Everyone has a unique body structure that cannot be altered. I’ve already passed all of the yo-yo exams (required fitness tests).”

Harsha Bhogle, a veteran cricket analyst, believes Sarfaraz’s removal from the Tests must be difficult for him.

“Sarfaraz Khan has literally knocked the door down in first-class cricket. “You can’t do more than he has,” he tweeted.

Dodda Ganesh, a former Indian cricketer, too tweeted in support of Sarfaraz.

“Please remember Sarfaraz Khan. “I’m not sure what else he needs to do to make the Test team,” he wrote.

Australia named four spinners to their team for the crucial four-Test series last week, including emerging star Todd Murphy.

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