Sarfaraz Khan, the batter, is once again in lightning form in domestic cricket. Playing for Mumbai, Khan has produced wonders in the white-ball tournaments this season, yet he has been deliberately overlooked across formats in international cricket, which has left former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar baffled.
Indian selectors have constantly faced the heat over controversial selections, especially in the longest format of the game. Sarfaraz Khan, one of the rising talents of Indian cricket, got a breakthrough in the home series against England in 2024. However, since the breakthrough, he has constantly been sidelined from international cricket.
Sarfaraz has repeatedly grabbed the spotlight with his convincing performance in domestic tournaments and his weight loss regimen after being snubbed from the England tour, and now with his recent exploits in T20 and 50-over cricket.
Sarfaraz Khan’s breathtaking show against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Sarfaraz Khan emerged as a special performer in domestic cricket and one of the most promising batters for Mumbai. However, he had to fight year after year for his position in the Indian team, which he was granted in 2024. After an India call-up, Sarfaraz played 6 Tests and amassed 371 runs at an average of 37.10 with a century and three half-centuries.
However, following the series against England and New Zealand at home, Sarfaraz Khan was only picked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as an additional batter but was not handed a playing opportunity despite India’s horrific run with the bat throughout the series.
Coming into 2025, Sarfaraz continued his run in the Duleep Trophy and the Ranji Trophy matches. However, his true dominance was portrayed during the white-ball tournaments, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Playing in just 6 games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai this season, Sarfaraz maintained a strike rate over 200 and scored three half-centuries. After a 52, 64, and 73 against Kerala, Haryana, and Rajasthan, he featured at no. 4 for Mumbai in the VHT.
In partnerships alongside his brother, Musheer Khan, he has already amassed 220 runs in 3 innings at an average of 110 and a blistering strike rate over 250. His recent spotlight came after a heroic 157 off just 75 balls against Goa in the fourth Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Mumbai this season.
Dilip Vengsarkar left surprised by Sarfaraz Khan being repeatedly overlooked
Former Indian selector Dilip Vengsarkar did not hold back from firing criticisms towards the Indian selectors for overlooking such a unique talent in Sarfaraz Khan. Despite consistent and promising performances in domestic cricket, India have failed to make way for the Mumbai batter in even one of the formats.
Vengsarkar has voiced his surprise at why Sarfaraz has been constantly overlooked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
“You know, the thing is, it’s really baffling for me why he’s not picked in any format for India, when he has done well so consistently, even for India, also when he got an opportunity.”
“I watched him and (Devdutt) Padikkal batting together against England in Dharamshala. It was a crucial session. They batted beautifully and forged together an important partnership, which ultimately helped India win the Test match,” Vengsarkar told the Times of India.
“Such a talent has been ignored and neglected,” said Vengsarkar
Vengsarkar also shamed the Indian management for not giving him opportunities to showcase his calibre in international cricket. The former BCCI selector referred to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when, despite travelling to Australia, he could not make it to the XI.
“And after that (home series against England), he didn’t get an opportunity (to play another Test). Of course, he was on the tour of Australia (the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), but he wasn’t given a chance at all, and that really baffles me, because he’s a good enough player to play in all formats of the game. Such a talent has been ignored and neglected. It’s a real shame!” Vengsarkar said.
Sarfaraz Khan has been picked by the Chennai Super Kings for his base price of INR 75 lakhs this season. He has played 50 IPL games previously and has starred for teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals.
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