Ex-cricketer blocks Sarfaraz Khan's India A selection as Gautam Gambhir snubs him for England Tests

Sarfaraz Khan’s journey continues to raise eyebrows, with Aakash Chopra yet again questioning the Indian selectors’ decision to leave him out of the Test team. The former Indian batter made a bold statement on Sarfaraz Khan after he smashed a stunning century for India A against the Indian cricket team in the intra-squad red-ball game in England on June 14.

Before his latest superb century, the right-handed batter smacked 92 runs in an unofficial Test match against England Lions. Even before his remarkable performances in the tough English conditions, Sarfaraz was dropped from India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England.

Aakash Chopra fumes at selectors after Sarfaraz Khan silences doubters with ton in England

Questioning the BCCI and national selectors about what Sarfaraz has done wrong, the cricket pundit has pointed out that the Mumbai star hasn’t been tested in challenging overseas conditions like England, Australia, or South Africa, and yet, he remains out of the playing XI.

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Sarfaraz has played six Test matches for India so far, scoring 371 runs with an average of 37.10. He had smashed a brilliant 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru. But then the 27-year-old failed to score in the next two tests, and the selectors showed him the door.

He traveled with the Indian team to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, but only to serve drinks. And now, Sarfaraz is once again overlooked for the upcoming Test series in England despite scoring runs whenever he gets the chance, including for India A.

Not a good story: Aakash Chopra on Sarfaraz Khan's snub

Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “Sarfaraz Khan hasn't done anything wrong thus far. In fact, he scored 90-plus in the one match he played. He couldn't score a hundred, but he scored runs. After that, you didn't play him in the next match.

And now he is not part of the Test team. He hasn't failed in England, Australia, and South Africa thus far, but you haven't given him a chance. It is not a good story.”

The commentator also slammed the national selectors’ approach, saying if the Indian cricket team management doesn't believe in Sarfaraz’s technique or thinks he’s not suited for overseas pitches, why is he being sent on tours with India A?

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Don't send him with India A: Aakash Chopra's blunt message to selectors

Chopra was baffled by the fact that Sarfaraz continues to warm the bench despite proving his mettle. He further went on to explain his point by saying, “I can understand if you don't have confidence in his technique or playing style, that he might not be able to score runs there, then just take a call. Then don't send him with India A also.”

At the end, the commentator admitted that Sarfaraz didn’t do well in the last two Tests against New Zealand after scoring 150 in the first Test in Bengaluru. But Chopra also pointed out that none of the other batters performed either, and India was whitewashed by the Kiwis at home.

He boldly claimed that Sarfaraz has been treated unfairly because he wasn’t even given a chance in the playing XI during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 which India also lost to Australia earlier this year. The cricket pundit called for fair chances for the Mumbai batter.