‘What does he have to do to be picked in the squad’ – Sunil Gavaskar fumes after Sarfaraz Khan’s non-selection for West Indies tour

Sunil Gavaskar and Sarfaraz Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Despite being one of the most consistent performers in the domestic circuit, Sarfaraz Khan has once again failed to make it to the Indian Test squad.

Sarfaraz has been one of the most talked about cricketers in the recent past and thus, the 25-year-old not getting picked again for a Test tour has shocked the former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. The India legend has called out the selectors and even stated that players doing well in the Indian Premier League are getting more opportunities in the Indian Test squad, rather than players who are doing well in the Ranji Trophy.

Notably, the Mumbai-born cricketer had a stunning season in the Ranji Trophy, amassing 556 runs in six games at an average of 92.66 in the 2022-23 campaign and thus he was one of the front runners to earn a call-up but the selectors preferred youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal. This made Gavaskar furious, launching a scathing attack and asking players to stop playing Ranji Trophy.

“Sarfaraz Khan has been scoring at an average of 100 in all past three seasons. What does he have to do to be picked in the squad? He might not be in the XI, but you pick him in the team. Tell him that his performances are being recognized. Otherwise, stop playing Ranji Trophy. Say, it’s of no use, you just play IPL and think you are good enough for the red ball game as well,” Gavaskar stated while talking to India Today.

Pujara left out, Rahane reappointed vice-captain for the West Indies series

After having a poor outing in the finals of the World Test Championship against Australia, selectors have not picked veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara for the forthcoming series against the West Indies. Notably, he was in terrific form in the County Championship Division Two and thus, he was expected to help India finally win an ICC trophy after almost ten years but unfortunately, that couldn’t happen.

On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane, who recently made his return to the squad has once again been handed the responsibility to be India’s vice-captain in the Test circuit. Meanwhile, Jaiswal is expected to replace Pujara in the playing XI for the West Indies series.