Vengsarkar questions selectors as Sarfaraz Khan’s domestic excellence continues to be overlooked
NEW DELHI
Former India cricketer and ex-BCCI chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has strongly criticised the national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, for repeatedly overlooking Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan despite his consistent domestic performances and credible returns at the international level.
Sarfaraz’s journey with the Indian team has been anything but smooth. After piling on runs across multiple Ranji Trophy seasons, he finally earned his maiden Test call-up against England in 2023. While his opportunities were limited, the right-hander made the most of them, scoring 371 runs in six Tests at an average of 37.10, including a century and three half-centuries. Yet, following the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy — in which he did not feature in a single match — Sarfaraz was dropped from the Test side.
What has baffled Vengsarkar further is Sarfaraz’s continued exclusion despite visible efforts to address past concerns. The Mumbai batter has worked extensively on his fitness, shedding significant weight, and has remained prolific on the domestic circuit. He was also ignored for recent home Test series against the West Indies and South Africa.
“You know, it’s really baffling for me why he’s not picked in any format,” Vengsarkar told. Recalling Sarfaraz’s impactful debut series, he highlighted a crucial partnership with Devdutt Padikkal against England in Dharamshala that played a decisive role in India’s Test victory. “They batted beautifully under pressure,” he said.
Sarfaraz’s current form only strengthens Vengsarkar’s argument. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has amassed 220 runs in just three innings, including a blistering 157 off 75 balls against Goa.
Despite touring Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sarfaraz was again left on the sidelines. “Such a talent has been ignored and neglected,” Vengsarkar said. “He is good enough to play all formats. It’s a real shame.”
