What has Sarfaraz Khan done in the last 2 years in domestic cricket to deserve a spot in India's test side

Sarfaraz Khan is yet to make his India debut even after performing well in the domestic circuit in the past few years.

Once again the Indian team management has gone for an experienced player rather than trying a new face in a big ICC event. BCCI picked up Ajinkya Rahane for the WTC final, in place of injured Shreyas Iyer. Rahane was dropped from the squad after the South Africa tour in 2022. This suggested that the Indian middle order is either lacking players of international caliber or team management still does not want to take a chance with a youngster. Team India had a disappointing run in the ICC tournaments since the 2013 Champions Trophy. If we look at the Indian Domestic circuit, some players have felt disappointed after getting snubbed for the WTC Final.

Sarfaraz Khan snubbed once again

Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan has been one of the most consistent batters for Mumbai in the domestic circuit. With an average of almost 80 in First-class cricket, Sarfaraz has been knocking on the Indian team's door for the past 2-3 seasons. Since his comeback from Uttar Pradesh, he has been scoring heavily in the Ranji Trophy. Fans were expecting that Sarfaraz Khan would break into the Indian Squad after Shreyas Iyer’s back injury. But despite making their position clear about youngsters in the previous year after the SA tour, Team India have gone back to someone who has played 80 odd test matches for team India.

Staggering numbers for Sarfaraz Khan in Red-ball

25-year-old Sarfaraz had a great run in Ranji Trophy 2022-23 as well. Sarfaraz scored 556 runs in 9 innings for Mumbai at an average of 92.66 and smashing 3 centuries and a fifty. He batted with a strike rate of 72.49. It is just not about the one season. Sarfaraz has continuously scored big runs, In the season 2021-22, Sarfaraz in 9 innings scored 982 runs with a magnificent average of 122.75. He smashed 4 centuries and 2 fifties in those 9 innings, His highest in these two seasons was 275 runs. In the 2019-20 season, he also had a wonderful time with the bat, scoring 928 runs in 9 innings at an average of 154 with 4 centuries and 5 fifties. These numbers suggest that Sarfaraz has been consistent in red-ball cricket for the last 4-5 years. Yet he is still waiting for a call-up in the Indian Team.

What's missing?

One thing that was constantly missing from Sarfaraz’s performance was his average batting in the IPL. Despite scoring big in red-ball games, he has failed to convert that form in limited overs. Another point of debate around him was his fitness and his weight. Sarfaraz after playing 37 first-class games has scored 3505 runs in 54 innings with a staggering average of 79.65, he has smashed 13 centuries and 9 fifties with 2 250-plus scores in the last 3 years. These numbers look easy for any batter to get into the national team, but not for Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz’s performance in the IPL and fitness concerns has always made selectors rethink about him every time.

Is he ready for India?

Now the question comes, is he ready? Yes absolutely yes. A batter who is consistently performing and is in the golden period in one format should be given an opportunity as early as possible than wait for him to slow down once again. Sarfaraz’s shot-making capabilities have stunned everyone in the past and his IPL performance should not carry a big weightage on his selection in the national team for the format he has been consistently performing. India under Rahul Dravid made it clear that his intentions are clear about giving youngsters more chances after the South Africa tour debacle. Now is the time to build a backup and give confidence to the younger players.