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Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin raises a question to the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar over their squad selection for the Tests. For the recently concluded one-off Test against Afghanistan, the selectors made some surprising calls by naming multiple young guns in the team, omitting multiple players who played for India in the format.
While the selectors tried to provide an opportunity to the emerging players, leaving everyone surprised, they ignored Auqib Nabi, who was the best bowler in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. Why the selectors did not choose Nabi remains a mystery.
Auqib Nabi's brilliant bowling helped Jammu and Kashmir to win the Ranji Trophy
Mohammad Azharuddin is among those who believe Auqib Nabi deserves a spot in the Test team as they has proved his bowling skills in two consecutive domestic seasons. The former India captain mentions that if these kinds of performances are ignored, then players will lose their interest in playing in domestic matches.
"I feel very sad for Auqib Nabi. He has taken around 60 wickets this season and around 50 last year, but we still don't find him a place in the Test team. It is very disappointing and surprising. Everybody says players have to perform in domestic cricket, but what is the use of playing the domestic season if those performances are not being recognized? Auqib Nabi is a very good Test-match bowler and an excellent exponent of swing bowling," Azharuddin said.
Sarfaraz Khan made his debut, but suddenly vanished from the scenario
He mentions Sarfaraz Khan as well, who played in a rejuvenated way for Mumbai in the previous domestic season. Khan, who is mostly known for his strong defensive abilities, batted with sheer aggression for Mumbai across the domestic tournaments.
Sarfaraz made his Test debut in February 2024 and played a total of 6 matches in the format, and all of those matches he played for India in the same year. His last match for India was on November 1, 2024, against New Zealand at Wankhede. In Bengaluru, he registered a 150 against the Kiwis.
Overall, Sarfaraz Khan claimed 371 runs in 6 matches, including the highest of 150, with an average of 37.1. The batter got three half-centuries when England toured India during the February-March window.
I am very disappointed with the non-inclusion of Aqib Nabi and Sarfaraz: Azharuddin
"He (Sarfaraz Khan) has been given a chance after the New Zealand series. I don't think they have played him in any matches. I think it is fine if he scored 100 in that game. I mean, you need to give consistent chances. If you don't give chances, it becomes very difficult. He has not been given a chance in Australia or England. So, what does that mean?” the former captain raises the question.
“Or what does that augur? So, I think the selectors need to look into this performance. Because I am very disappointed with the non-inclusion of Aqib Nabi and Sarfaraz. They deserve a lot of chances," said Mohammad Azharuddin to the news agency PTI.
VIDEO | Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin questioned the national selectors over the omission of prolific domestic performers Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan from the Test side, saying players are losing faith in the value of domestic cricket if strong performances are not… pic.twitter.com/tM36KSwWYB
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2026
