Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan was notably absent from the India A team selection for the upcoming matches against South Africa. Despite his solid performances alongside Rohit Sharma’s Test team, Sarfaraz was left out, sparking confusion among Indian cricket enthusiasts. Notably, Sarfaraz showcased impressive form in his recent first-class matches, scoring 92 against ENG Lions and 42 and 32 against J&K. Many believed these performances warranted his inclusion in the A team.
Previously, Sarfaraz was dropped from the Indian Test squad post the disappointing series against New Zealand, despite scoring a commendable 150 runs in the opening Test in Bengaluru. He underwent rigorous training during the IPL 2025 season to improve his fitness in hopes of making a national team comeback, which unfortunately did not materialize. The selection committee chief, Ajit Agarkar, clarified that Karun Nair’s exceptional Ranji season performance led to his selection over Sarfaraz.
Although there were speculations about Sarfaraz’s return post Nair’s tenure, he was not recalled. Agarkar mentioned Sarfaraz’s quadricep injury as a reason for his exclusion, even after his participation in the Ranji Trophy. Despite ongoing discussions about his absence, Sarfaraz did not secure a spot in the A team against South Africa.
In other cricket news, India revealed their squads for the South Africa series, with Rishabh Pant making a comeback to red-ball cricket after an injury layoff. The A team comprises players like Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and others for the upcoming matches against South Africa.
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