A growing disconnect between domestic dominance and national selection
The recurring exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan from India’s Test squad has reignited criticism of the national selectors’ approach to red-ball talent. Despite boasting one of the best first-class averages in modern Indian cricket and impactful performances in limited Test appearances, Sarfaraz continues to be overlooked — a pattern that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has now called out publicly.
Tharoor, a long-time follower of cricket and former tutor to Sarfaraz, took to social media to express disappointment at what he views as a systemic disregard for domestic excellence.
“This is frankly an outrage. @SarfarazA_54 averages 65-plus in first class cricket, scored a 50 on Test debut and a 150 in a Test we lost, made 92 in his only tour match in England (and a century in the practice match against the full Indian Test team) — and still finds himself excluded from the selectors’ frame of reference,” Tharoor wrote on X.
Sarfaraz’s latest omission came ahead of India A’s unofficial Test series against South Africa, despite a solid outing in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener, where he scored 42 and 32. Earlier in the year, he had impressed with a 92-run knock against the England Lions in a tour match on May 30, following a brief injury setback during the UK tour.
Selectors under fire for overlooking proven domestic performers
Tharoor’s remarks come at a time when several senior domestic players — including Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, and Prithvi Shaw — have also made headlines with commanding performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Yet, many of them remain outside the national selection radar, raising questions about the criteria being used.
“I am also very glad to see @ajinkyarahane88, @PrithviShaw and @karun126 making runs in the #RanjiTrophy. Our selectors are too quick to discard proven talent in order to take a punt on ‘potential’. These are players who have proven themselves over and over again. Runs in domestic cricket must be valued by the selectors, not just the #IPL; otherwise why should anyone bother to play the Ranji?” Tharoor added.
This is frankly an outrage. @SarfarazA_54 averages 65-plus in first class cricket, scored a 50 on Test debut and a 150 in a Test we lost, made 92 in his only tour match in England (and a century in the practice match against the full Indian Test team) — and still finds himself… https://t.co/gtq1ni03DQ
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 29, 2025
His comments tap into a broader concern voiced by several senior players in recent months — that age, injury history, or lack of IPL visibility may be overshadowing consistent domestic output in the eyes of selectors. The tension between youth-focused policies and rewarding experience has sparked renewed scrutiny of the selection committee’s decisions.
Sarfaraz Khan’s numbers demand answers
Sarfaraz’s first-class record remains among the most compelling in Indian cricket. With over 4,700 runs at an average above 64, including 16 centuries, his consistency in the domestic circuit is unmatched among current contenders. In the six Test matches he has played so far, he has also delivered key innings, including a fifty on debut and a 150 in a losing effort.
His exclusion, despite ticking multiple boxes — performance, fitness, and red-ball form — continues to puzzle observers, especially given the importance of rebuilding India’s Test middle order.
As the Ranji season progresses, and voices like Tharoor’s grow louder, pressure may mount on the selectors to re-evaluate how domestic achievements are weighed in shaping India’s red-ball future.
