Sarfaraz Khan, one of the few batters, who has literally broken the door down of Test selection with consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy for the third season in a row, was left dejected once again after he was neglected but the Mumbai batter has taken the latest exclusion on the chin. The 25-year-old who was coming off a record-breaking season where he scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75 in the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 has begun this season on a strong note as well, however, he wasn’t picked for the Australian Test series at home, despite all of that.
Speaking to the Times of India, Sarfaraz admitted that he expected himself to get picked but was sad the whole day when he got to know that his name wasn’t there while travelling from Guwahati to Delhi. The batter mentioned that he felt a little lonely and even shed a few tears as naturally he was disappointed but remained hopeful that he will get picked rather sooner than later.
After his non-selection, the main reason emerged as his lack of runs in matches playing for India A. Apart from a 71, Sarfaraz didn’t have much to show for in the series against New Zealand A and Bangladesh A and Sarfaraz addressing the criticism said that he isn’t god and is bound to fail in a match or two while also talking about another probable reason – fitness. “I’m bound to fail in the odd match or two. It’s cricket, it happens. I’m not God. I can’t score in every match. And I’m very fit. I played in every match till the last. I run fast. Everyone has a different body structure, you can’t change it. I’ve cleared all the yo-yo tests in the past. Unless you clear the yo-yo test, you can’t play in the IPL,” Sarfaraz told TOI
The Mumbai star batter, who has a couple of centuries and a fifty to his name in the five matches so far in the ongoing season said that he was told during the Ranji final in Bangalore in June that he might get his chance in Bangladesh but he didn’t and recently too he met the chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma, who assured him that his time will come.
“During the Ranji Trophy final at Bangalore, when I scored a century, I met the selectors. I was told that ‘you’ll get your opportunity in Bangladesh. Be ready for that.’ Recently, I met Chetan Sharma sir (chief selector) while we were checking in at the hotel in Mumbai. He asked me not to feel disheartened, and that my time will come. Good things take time to happen. You’re very close (to an India berth). You’ll get your chance. So, when I played another important knock, I had expectations. But it’s alright,” he further said.Sarfaraz has another few matches to keep scoring runs and create a situation where they can’t even think of leaving him out again.
