Sarfaraz Khan Dropped from Indian Test Team: Unfair Selection or Gambhir’s Politics?

The recent exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan from the Indian Test squad for the England tour has sparked widespread debate among cricket fans and experts alike. Despite a stellar domestic record and a remarkable 150 against New Zealand in October 2024, Sarfaraz finds himself sidelined, with many pointing fingers at head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. With Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan scoring ducks in the first Test against England, questions are being raised about the fairness of the decision and whether politics played a role in Sarfaraz’s omission.

Sarfaraz Khan’s Impressive Track Record

Sarfaraz Khan has been a run-machine in domestic cricket, boasting a first-class average of 65.99, one of the highest among active players globally. His Test career, though brief, has shown immense promise. After a memorable debut against England in February 2024, where he scored twin fifties (62 and 68*), Sarfaraz went on to notch a gritty 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Despite India’s 0-3 loss in that series, his century stood out as a beacon of hope.

Sarfaraz’s form didn’t stop there. In England, playing for India A against the England Lions, he scored a fluent 92 off 119 balls, followed by a blazing 101 off 76 balls in an intra-squad warm-up match against the Indian Test team. These performances underscored his ability to adapt to challenging overseas conditions, silencing critics who questioned his technique against pace and bounce.

The Controversial Dropping of Sarfaraz Khan

Despite his consistent performances, Sarfaraz was shockingly dropped from the 18-man squad for the five-Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited a dip in form after Sarfaraz’s century against New Zealand, where he scored 11, 9, 0, and 1 in his next four innings. Agarkar also emphasized the need for experience in the absence of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, favoring Karun Nair’s domestic form and county cricket exposure over Sarfaraz.

However, this reasoning has been met with skepticism. Sarfaraz didn’t get a single game during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, despite being part of the squad. Fans and former cricketers, including Aakash Chopra and Sanjay Manjrekar, have questioned why a player with such a strong domestic record and recent success was overlooked. Chopra, in particular, criticized the selectors for sending Sarfaraz on India A tours if they lacked confidence in his ability to perform overseas, calling the decision “sad” and unfair.

Gautam Gambhir’s Role in the Selection Drama

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under fire for allegedly influencing Sarfaraz’s exclusion. Social media platforms like X are abuzz with posts accusing Gambhir of playing “politics” in team selection. One user wrote, “Indian team dropped Sarfaraz Khan for none of his bad performance… got dropped with Gambhir’s politics!!” Similar sentiments echo across fan discussions, with many believing Gambhir’s preference for other players, such as Karun Nair, stems from personal biases rather than merit.

Former India cricketer Surinder Khanna also criticized Gambhir’s team management, pointing out that Sarfaraz’s omission from the Australia Tests and now the England series raises questions about the coach’s decision-making. “Lame excuses for Sarfaraz Khan won’t work,” Khanna told MyKhel, urging accountability for the team’s recent poor performances.

Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan’s Struggles

The decision to pick Karun Nair over Sarfaraz was justified by Agarkar, who highlighted Nair’s prolific domestic form, including 863 runs in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season and a triple century against England in 2016. However, Nair’s return to the Test side after seven years has been underwhelming so far, with a duck in the first Test against England. Similarly, debutant Sai Sudharsan, another top-order batter, also scored a duck, putting the selectors’ choices under scrutiny.

While Nair’s experience in county cricket was cited as a factor, critics argue that Sarfaraz’s recent performances in English conditions—92 against England Lions and a century in the intra-squad game—demonstrate his readiness for Test cricket. The failure of Nair and Sudharsan in the opening Test has only intensified calls for Sarfaraz’s inclusion in the remaining matches.

Is Sarfaraz Khan a Victim of Unfair Selection?

The timing of Sarfaraz’s exclusion is particularly puzzling given his fitness transformation. Reports indicate he lost 10 kg through a strict diet of boiled vegetables and chicken to prepare for the England tour, showcasing his commitment to the team. Despite this, he was overlooked, while players like Nair and Sudharsan were given preference.

Sunil Gavaskar, reflecting on the decision, emphasized the need for players to be “undroppable” through consistent performances. However, he acknowledged the tough call on Sarfaraz, noting that a rib injury prevented him from playing Ranji Trophy matches after the Australia tour, limiting his opportunities to prove his form.

What’s Next for Sarfaraz Khan?

Despite the setback, Sarfaraz remains part of the India A setup, providing him a platform to continue scoring runs and knocking on the selectors’ doors. His 92 against England Lions and century in the intra-squad game have already sent a strong message to Gambhir and Agarkar. With four Tests remaining in the England series, an injury or poor form from the current middle-order batters could open the door for Sarfaraz’s return.

Fans and analysts alike hope that Sarfaraz’s talent and hard work will eventually earn him a consistent spot in the Indian Test team. For now, the 27-year-old must continue his run-scoring spree in domestic and India A matches, proving that he is too good to be ignored.

Conclusion

Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the Indian Test squad has ignited a fierce debate about fairness, merit, and the role of politics in cricket selection. With Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan failing to make an impact in the first Test, the decision to drop a player of Sarfaraz’s caliber looks increasingly questionable. As India navigates a transitional phase in Test cricket, the selectors and Gautam Gambhir must address these concerns to ensure that talent like Sarfaraz is not wasted on the sidelines.

Stay tuned to NriGlobe.com for the latest cricket updates and in-depth analysis of India’s tour of England.