Sarfaraz Khan’s India A Snub: BCCI’s Selection Logic Explained

Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the India A squad for the upcoming two first-class matches against South Africa A has raised eyebrows across the cricketing circuit. Despite his impressive domestic record and a solid 92-run knock against the England Lions in Canterbury during his last India A appearance, Sarfaraz finds himself out of favor once again.

Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors have cited “batting order complications” as the main reason behind his omission.

The 27-year-old batter, who recently recovered from an injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, missed opportunities to prove his form against Australia A earlier this year, which may have further weakened his case.

The Batting Order Dilemma

According to sources, the selectors are struggling to fit Sarfaraz into the current India A batting structure. His preferred middle-order position, typically at number five or six, is now dominated by players who can contribute both with the bat and ball—essentially the all-rounders and wicketkeeper-batters such as Rishabh Pant.

With the team composition increasingly emphasizing multi-skilled players, specialists like Sarfaraz face tougher competition for spots. Reports claim that selectors want Sarfaraz to experiment by moving up to the number three position to make himself more versatile.

Currently, that spot in the India A team is occupied by the in-form Sai Sudharsan, making it even harder for Sarfaraz to break into the lineup. Additionally, his poor run against New Zealand A—where he suffered four low scores on spin-friendly pitches—has not helped his cause.

Competition and the Road Ahead

The middle-order positions in India A are currently crowded with strong contenders such as Rajat Patidar and Ruturaj Gaikwad, both of whom have showcased consistency in recent first-class matches. Patidar’s strong domestic form and Gaikwad’s adaptability have impressed selectors, pushing Sarfaraz further down the pecking order.

The message from the selection panel seems clear: Sarfaraz needs to redefine his approach, perform consistently in the upcoming Ranji season, and possibly take on a top-order role to enhance his prospects.

Despite the disappointment, Sarfaraz remains one of India’s most prolific red-ball batters at the domestic level. His challenge now lies in proving that he can adapt to the evolving demands of modern cricket and claim his long-awaited India call-up.