There has been quite an uproar over the non-selection of Sarfaraz Khan from the Indian team to West Indies. Former players too have stepped into the bandwagon and have absolutely thrashed the selectors. Yes, it is true that Sarfaraz has amassed runs for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy for the last couple of years. It is also true that Ranji Trophy must be the prime competition to select players for the Indian Test squad rather than based on IPL performances. However, is there anything more than what meets the eye? Was it really cricketing grounds the reason for Sarfaraz’s exclusion? It is the curious case of Sarfaraz Khan.
Gavaskar and Saba Karim statements
Sunil Gavaskar says, “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,” Sarfaraz was quoted as saying to Sports Today.
“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,” he stated.
“I am very surprised. I am perplexed with the thought process of the Indian selectors right now. The guy has literally knocked the door down. What else do you want from him,” Saba Karim told The Indian Express.
The selector’s defense
“The angry reactions are understandable but I can tell you with some degree of certainty that the reason behind Sarfaraz getting ignored time and again is not just cricketing one. There are multiple reasons for which he hasn’t been considered,” said the official. “Are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reason is his fitness which isn’t exactly of international standard.”
One of the reason for his continued exclusion is that he struggled against some good bowling during IPL. He wasn’t really a big success when he turned out in the colours of RCB or Delhi Capitals. Agreed that the IPL performance or non-performance should not matter but the point is, the quality of the bowlers in the IPL is not that high. Every side has at the most one or at the most a couple of bowlers of high quality.
At the highest level, every top team will have 4 quality bowlers. If there is a technical shortcoming, these bowlers are capable of exposing any batsmen immediately. There are so many examples of this in international cricket. Australia’s Michael Bevan. India’s Vinod Kambli, the list just goes on and on.
The good thing here is that the selectors are not swayed by the runs scored by the batsman alone. They discuss the player in question from various angles. Whether he has the game to perform under pressure. Whether he is good enough to bat when the ball swings or seams or bounces or turns. In short, based on the selector’s comments, it looks like they discuss every aspect of the player. It is actually good to know that the selectors know what they are doing.
The discipline side
The same selector also added, “His conduct on and off the field hasn’t exactly been top notch. Certain things said, certain gestures made and some incidents have been taken note of. A bit more disciplined approach would only do him a world of good. Hopefully, Sarfaraz along with his father and coach Naushad Khan will work on those aspects,” the senior official added.
This is the more troubling aspect. We have all seen how Virat Kohli behaves on the field of play. Far too many times, he has gone overboard with his celebration or abuse. For the general viewer, it is nothing but obscene. Sarfaraz Khan seems to be having similar attitude issues. For some reason, the young Mumbai lads are having this problem. The flamboyant opener, Prithvi Shaw, is known for such a poor attitude. Selectors have repeatedly advised him but it doesn’t seem to have any effect on him. He is a classic example of how someone is unable to handle money and fame at a young age.
Sarfaraz will have to guard himself against this. For any sportsperson or for that matter, for anyone, discipline and the right attitude is pretty essential.
Wrapping up the curious case of Sarfaraz Khan
It takes a lot of courage to deny opportunities to a player who has amassed runs in your premier competition and for whom the support is tremendous on the basis of his poor attitude and technical shortcoming. The selectors must be commended for such a decision. Hopefully, Sarfaraz, unlike Prithvi Shaw, will mend his ways and will also improve his game.