Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan, one of the most consistent performers in first-class cricket, has been constantly ignored when it comes to national selection. Most recently, he was snubbed from India’s Test squad for the two-match away series against the West Indies which will begin in mid-July. Notably, many fans and cricket experts lambasted the selectors for the youngster’s exclusion, referring to his performances in domestic cricket.
Recently, a BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) official revealed the reason behind his continuous omission from the national side is fitness and disciplinary issues. However, people associated with Mumbai cricket indicated that those claims were not valid.
Sarfaraz pointed his finger toward the dressing room after striking a crucial century in a Ranji Trophy match against Delhi last season, which was taken as a jibe at one of the Team India selectors watching the game. His celebration was reportedly intended for his teammates and coach Amol Mujumdar. The report also read that the batter relieved the team of stress, and the celebration was one of relief.
“Sarfaraz’s celebration during a Ranji match in Delhi was meant for his teammates and coach Amol Mujumdar, who had doffed his hat. The selector present was Salil Ankola and not Chetan Sharma. Sarfaraz took the team out of pressure situation and the celebration was one of relief,” a Mumbai cricket source was quoted as saying by NDTV.
The report further questioned whether it is wrong to be exalted in someone’s celebration when they are pointing towards their own dressing room.
“Is it even wrong to be exalted in your celebration and that too when you are pointing towards your own dressing room,” the source added.
In addition, there was an incident which left Madhya Pradesh coach Chandrakant Pandit unhappy with Sarfaraz‘s attitude, however, the source indicated that Pandit has always been friendly towards him. He went on to say that Pandit treats the young batter like a son and would never be angry with him.
“Chandu sir treats him like a son. He has always had good things to say about him and knows him since he was 14 years old. He would never be angry on Sarfaraz,” the source said.