‘One of the reasons is his fitness’ – BCCI official on what is keeping Sarfaraz Khan away from Test selection

Sarfaraz Khan (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recently came forward to announce the ODI and Test squads for the upcoming West Indies tour. It is worth noting that India and the West Indies take each other on in a multi-format series that is scheduled to begin on July 12. Both sides will face each other in two Test matches, three ODIs, and will finish the tour with five T20I matches.

As the BCCI announced the Test squad for the tour, one of the biggest names again missing from the side was the 25-year-old Sarfaraz Khan. Performing at the peak of his powers in first-class cricket, khan has been one of the most influential players in domestic cricket and one of the highest run-getters.

However, his snub from the Test squad attracted the fury of many fans, who took to social media to lambast the selectors for once again overlooking the batter’s performances. Seeing the fans’ comments, a BCCI official recently came forward to reflect on why Sarfaraz continues to miss out on the Test squad.

“The angry reactions are understandable but I can tell you with some degree of certainty that the reason behind Sarfaraz getting ignored time and again is not just cricketing one. There are multiple reasons for which he hasn’t been considered, are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reason is his fitness which isn’t exactly of international standard,” the BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

Furthermore, the BCCI official also reflected upon the Indian batter’s on- and off-field conduct and advised him to adopt a more disciplined approach, as it could do him a word of good.

“His conduct on and off the field hasn’t exactly been top-notch. Certain things said, certain gestures made and some incidents have been taken note of. A bit more disciplined approach would only do him a world of good. Hopefully, Sarfaraz along with his father and coach Naushad Khan will work on those aspects,” the official said.