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"What Wrong Has.." Ex-Opener Doubts Sarfaraz Khan's India A Selection After Test Snub

Akshita Patel

Aakash Chopra on Sarfaraz Khan's Test snub [Source: @Dhoniismforlife, @ImTanujSingh/X.com]Aakash Chopra on Sarfaraz Khan's Test snub [Source: @Dhoniismforlife, @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from India’s Test squad for the England tour has raised eyebrows, especially after his brilliant performances in warm-up matches. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Khan’s Test snub is unfair, and if the selectors didn’t trust his technique, why did they approve him in the India A squad?

The debate flared up when the 27-year-old Mumbai batter smashed a 76-ball century in a practice game against the senior Indian team, just days before the first Test in Leeds. He had earlier scored 92 runs for India A against the England Lions, proving his strong red-ball form. 

Akash Chopra Baffled With Sarfaraz Khan’s Treatment

Sarfaraz Khan was snubbed from India’s Test team for the England series. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar previously explained that Khan was ignored due to team combination issues and must work harder to gain more experience.

However, the argument didn’t sit well with former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra. On his YouTube channel, he deemed the decision unfair and said that if the BCCI doubted his talent, Khan shouldn’t have been on the India A squad.

“Sarfaraz Khan hasn’t done anything wrong thus far. In fact, he hasn’t done anything wrong till now. The one match he played, he scored 90-plus runs. He couldn’t score a hundred, but he scored runs. After that, you didn’t play him in the next match, and he is not part of the Test team," Chopra said (via TOI).

Chopra also pointed out that Sarfaraz hasn’t even had a chance to prove himself in difficult conditions like England, Australia, or South Africa. He questioned why the selectors keep ignoring him, saying it’s unfair when others also fail in tough matches but still get picked.

"He hasn’t failed in England, Australia and South Africa thus far, but you haven’t given him a chance. It is not a good story. I can understand if you don’t have confidence in his technique or playing style, that he might not be able to score runs there, then you have to take a call. Then don’t send him with India A also, because you have a pre-conceived notion," he added.

Chopra Says Sarfaraz’s Previous Form Good Enough For Test Selection

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra continued his argument in favour of Sarfaraz Khan, saying if the youngster is good enough for India A, he should be considered good enough for the Test team too.

“If you think he can make runs, and that’s why he has been picked for the India A squad, then play him in the India Test team too. What wrong has he done? He made a ton in Bengaluru. Then he failed in two matches, but no one else scored in those matches. He did not even play a single match in Australia, in fact, he was not even part of the conversation."


"So, in such a scenario, one might think that something wrong is happening with him. What has he done wrong? Maybe, absolutely nothing. But he is not getting a place in the XI. in fact, he is not in the scheme of things, which is a little sad, if your name is Sarfaraz Khan," Chopra concluded.

By ignoring Sarfaraz, India called up Karun Nair after an 8-year hiatus. Not only that, the selectors also called up Sai Sudharsan after his consistent performances in domestic cricket and IPL.