Fitness, not bias, behind Sarfaraz Khan’s omission, says BCCI source
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally responded to the growing uproar around Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the India A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa A. Despite consistent domestic performances and a solid return to form in the Ranji Trophy, Khan was notably absent from the announced squads.
Speaking to NDTV, a BCCI source dismissed suggestions of bias or poor form and cited Sarfaraz’s lack of recent match fitness as the reason behind his omission.
“Sarfaraz was out with a quadriceps injury. He recently made a comeback and played the first round of the Ranji Trophy—that is the only competitive cricket he has played in a long time. The selectors will assess his form in the ongoing Ranji season before drafting him back into the India A set-up.”
“Hopefully, he will get his chances soon.”
Additionally, a report by PTI suggested that Sarfaraz’s exclusion was linked to Rishabh Pant’s return to the red-ball setup. With Pant being reinstated and handed the No. 5 spot in the India A squad, the report claimed there was no available space for Sarfaraz in the middle order.
However, the explanation did little to quiet the storm of criticism and speculation that had already erupted following the squad announcement.
Ashwin questions logic behind omission, cites communication gap
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin voiced his dismay over Khan’s exclusion, noting the inconsistency between performance and selection decisions. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed deep concern for the batter’s future opportunities and suggested the system might already have moved on from him.
“I can’t find any logic behind Sarfaraz’s non-selection in the India A side. I feel very, very sad for him. If I were a selector, what would I call and tell Sarfaraz? He has reduced weight, he has scored runs too, he even hit a century against New Zealand. This kind of non-selection leads me to think that someone, somewhere thinks, ‘Sarfaraz Khan ko dekh liya, abhi nahi chahiye (We’ve seen Sarfaraz Khan, don’t need him anymore).’ He has not been selected in the India A side. What happens to him now? Literally, the door has been shut on him. Where will he perform? Now if he does well in first-class cricket, they will say he is a very good player in first-class, so he won’t get an A series. Where will he go and prove his credentials?”
🚨🚨Ravi Ashwin exposed Agarkar over non-selection of Sarfaraz Khan:
– I don't get a single answer when I think of Sarfaraz Khan's non selection, I feel very very sad & sorry for him. What kind of communication is done with him?
– He reduced his weight, he scores tons of runs,… pic.twitter.com/npNKaQK3aC
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 22, 2025
He also drew parallels with past players overlooked after prolonged domestic success, highlighting how inconsistent messaging from selectors can hurt careers.
“The problem is that your communication and selection should match. I remember Subramaniam Badrinath used to play for the India A team and was the captain as well for a long time, but did not get selected. The same happened to Manoj Tiwary. The communication that went through was that ‘we have seen enough of you, and now we want to take a look at fresh faces. So you won’t be playing for the India A team anymore, but if we need you in the Indian team, we will pick you.”
Pathan urges restraint, defends selectors’ long-term vision
In contrast to Ashwin’s critique, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan stepped forward to defend the selection committee and team management. Addressing the reaction on social media, Pathan asked fans to trust the process and avoid drawing hasty conclusions.
“Selectors and the coach (management) will always have a plan. Sometimes it might look wrong in the fans’ eyes, but please don’t twist things or create narratives that aren’t even close to the truth.”
Selectors and the coach (management) will always have a plan. Sometimes it might look wrong in the fans’ eyes, but please don’t twist things or create narratives that aren’t even close to the truth.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 22, 2025
His message attempted to strike a balance between public emotion and the selectors’ internal strategy, especially as Sarfaraz continues to be a fan-favorite due to his domestic consistency.
Political row erupts over communal insinuations
The debate took a sharp political turn when Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed raised questions about whether Sarfaraz’s “surname” played a role in his non-selection. Her post triggered immediate political backlash.
“Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter.”
Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname ! #justasking . We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 22, 2025
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla responded strongly, accusing Mohamed of communalizing cricket.
“This lady & her party are sick. After calling Rohit Sharma fat – she and her party want to divide even our cricket team on communal lines? Desh ka partition karke mann nahi bhara kya? (Are they not satisfied even after partitioning the country?) In the same team, Mohammad Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed will play! Stop dividing India on communal lines, caste lines.”
This lady & her party is sick. After calling Rohit Sharma fat- she and her party want to divide even our cricket team on communal lines? Desh ka partition karke mann nahi bhara kya?
In the same team MOHAMMAD SIRAJ AND KHALEEL AHMED will play ! Stop dividing India on communal… pic.twitter.com/mUEqdeAK9o
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) October 22, 2025
This isn’t the first time Mohamed has courted controversy over cricket. Earlier this year, she was reprimanded by her own party for body-shaming Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
What lies ahead for Sarfaraz Khan?
As the debate simmers, one thing remains clear: Sarfaraz Khan continues to be a subject of national cricketing conversation. With selectors reportedly monitoring his performances through the Ranji Trophy season, and multiple voices within the cricket fraternity acknowledging his ability, the door may not be fully closed.
But with mounting pressure, public sentiment, and now political heat surrounding his omission, the challenge ahead for both Sarfaraz and the BCCI will be not only one of performance — but perception.
