Sarfaraz Khan told to retire after India A snub for South Africa series
Published - 21 Oct 2025, 01:26 PM

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will lead the India 'A' squad in two four-day matches against the South Africa 'A' side ahead of the Test series between the two teams. Notably, middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of the squad despite being in contention for the upcoming home series.
The two-match red-ball series will begin on October 30, with the second four-day match taking place from November 6 to 9. Notably, both matches will be held at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, and others are included in the squad.
India Use A-Team Series as Preparation Ahead of Major Test Assignments
India have a habit of playing A-team series as a preparatory step before major Test series. Notably, India A had faced Australia A in a red-ball series in Lucknow ahead of their series against the West Indies. Test stars like KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy, and Devdutt Padikkal played in the second game.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir recently emphasized the importance of participating in competitive matches, whether in domestic cricket or A-series games, to build form and match rhythm, rather than relying solely on net sessions.
The upcoming two-match series will be closely watched, especially for the performance of Test specialists. Rishabh Pant will aim to get match-ready and secure his spot in the senior Test squad through these games.
Sarfaraz Khan Left Out Of India A Squad For Upcoming Series
Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of the India A squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa A at home. The right-handed middle-order batter last played for India A earlier this year against England Lions, scoring 92 in the first unofficial Test in Canterbury.
Sarfaraz made his Test debut for India in February 2024 against England under Rohit Sharma. The right-handed batter scored 62 runs before being run out. He has scored 371 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.10, including one century and three fifties.
In domestic cricket, the 27-year-old has scored 4,759 runs in 55 first-class matches at an average of 65.98, including 16 centuries and 15 fifties, with a highest score of 301 not out. He will be eager to make a comeback in India’s upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa at home.
Fans React as Sarfaraz Khan Excluded from India A Squad
Meet Sarfaraz Khan:
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 21, 2025
- he avg 65+ in FC,
- he did great vs Eng in his debit series when India were 0-1 down,
- he scored 150 runs 2 tests ago,
- reduced 17 kg weight
- passed yoyo test
Not picked for Ind-A, another career destroyed by Agarkar & Gambhir!!pic.twitter.com/W6BnG7cceJ
Sarfaraz Khan is not in the Indian A squad even though he is performing so well in domestic cricket, I feel bad for him pic.twitter.com/Cmi51DEPsf
— Fan_virat (@mdTajim99279152) October 21, 2025
Feel for Sarfaraz Khan...!!!!! 💔
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 21, 2025
He played in the England tour for India A team, scored 92 runs in first unofficial match but then out of the picture due to injury - improved his fitness, lost lots weight returned to Ranji Trophy (made important 74 runs) but no place in the… pic.twitter.com/cLnMWBipcA
Everyday, Sarfaraz is kept away from national team, I hope Bharat Sundaresan has a tiny bit of remorse that He costed the career of the most prolific domestic batter this decade. https://t.co/ToELwqgN5U
— ♠️ (@SiddViz) October 21, 2025
I certainly don’t understand how Sarfaraz Khan can’t even make it to the India ‘A’ squad! Earlier, people used to say fitness and all but what now? What more does he have to do to make a case for himself. Just bonkers! #INDAvsSA
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) October 21, 2025
I am a little surprised with the continued absence of Sarfaraz Khan - even from the India A system now, not being named in the two India A Tests vs South Africa A
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan deserves to play for at least India A.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan scored 92 for India A vs England Lions, then got injured. Came back fitter, lighter, made 74 in Ranji. Still no spot in the India A squad. Tough one to take.💔 pic.twitter.com/ls6gOJdaP6
— Soaib Akhtar (@SSA_807) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan is not getting selected even in India A. What changed suddenly?
— Suraj Pandey (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ RCB) (@elsurajpandey) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan after the dressing room leaks story in Aus, dropped from Eng tour, Karun picked over him.
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) October 21, 2025
Scored 92 vs Eng L(got just 1 game), 100 in intra squad, lost weight worked on his fitness and proved it in Ranji game but still ignored for India A.
Cricketing decision?
What happened to Sarfaraz Khan ?
— wtf (@whatdfrock) October 21, 2025
forget about the main squad , is he not good enough to play for 'A' squad also https://t.co/P0zpwuReq9
No Sarfaraz Khan for India A ?
— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) October 21, 2025
Cant understand
Hello sarfaraz Khan,
— Shakur Surve (@Shakurs17) October 21, 2025
Please announce the retirement from your cricketing career.
Also read: Virat Kohli bats for 45 minutes, Rohit Sharma spends this much time in nets ahead of 2nd ODI vs AUS
Tagged:
Sarfaraz Khan Rishabh Pant Sai Sudharsan Mohammed Siraj KL Rahul India National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team India A vs South Africa A South Africa A vs India AAbout the Author

Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more