Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has questioned Sarfaraz Khan’s continued absence from the national Test team, suggesting that his exclusion may have reasons beyond cricketing performance. Jaffer believes the Mumbai batter has done enough in domestic cricket to deserve consistent opportunities, highlighting his impressive record of 18 first-class centuries.
The 28-year-old last represented India during the 2024 home Test series against New Zealand. Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test century in the second match but was subsequently left out of the playing XI throughout India’s tour of Australia. He later featured for India A before losing his place in the senior setup.
Sarfaraz was recalled to India’s squad for the two-Test away series against Sri Lanka in August as an injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan. However, he did not play either match and was subsequently omitted from the squad for the New Zealand tour.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Wasim Jaffer questioned the reasoning behind Sarfaraz’s repeated exclusion. “I feel there is definitely something. I feel that they don’t want to pick him. Otherwise, the performance is in front of us. He has 18 first-class hundreds in such a small career,” Jaffer said. “I feel they don’t want to take him. I don’t know the reason, but I think it’s beyond performance and cricketing reasons,” he added.
Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs in 11 Test innings at an average of 37.10. Wasim Jaffer argued that the batter’s continued absence raises questions about whether domestic performances alone will be enough to earn him another opportunity. “I just feel that they don’t want to pick Sarfaraz Khan, irrespective of how many runs he scores and what his average is. There can be nothing else apart from this,” he said.
Speculation about Sarfaraz’s future in the Indian team has also coincided with unverified rumours that he shared information about the dressing-room atmosphere during the Australia tour. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated, with no confirmed statement from Sarfaraz, the team management or his teammates establishing their accuracy.
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Meanwhile, the right-handed batter has continued working towards a potential comeback through domestic cricket. After managing just one run in Mumbai’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh, Sarfaraz responded emphatically in the second round. He scored 154 off 228 deliveries against Himachal Pradesh, helping Mumbai secure an innings-and-97-run victory.
The substantial innings underlined his ability to produce big scores and strengthened his case for consideration. With Sarfaraz continuing to deliver in the Ranji Trophy, the debate over his absence from India’s Test squad is likely to persist as he seeks another opportunity at the international level.
