The Indian cricketing fraternity has been vouching for Sarfaraz Khan to get a national call-up and when was snubbed yet again for the first two Tests against Australia next month, everyone was in utter shock. He has been phenomenal in the last three seasons of the Ranji Trophy. And now Sarfaraz has talked about his feelings after the squad selection and also shared his recent discussion with the chief selector, Chetan Sharma.

In the 2019/20 Ranji Trophy season, Sarfaraz Khan amassed 928 runs at 154.66. In the next edition, he pulled off 982 runs at 122.75 in 2021/22. And in the ongoing edition, he has managed 801 runs so far at 89. His incredible run in three consecutive seasons has left him with a career first-class average of 80.47 which is only the second-best among batters with at least 50 innings, and he is only behind Sir Don Bradman.

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Describing the same during the chat with Times of India, Sarfaraz Khan said, “When the team was announced and my name wasn’t there, I was very sad. Anyone in my place in this world would’ve been sad, because I had expected to be picked, but wasn’t (chosen). Yesterday, I was sad the whole day, when we traveled from Guwahati to Delhi, and wasn’t able to sleep the whole night. I was thinking about what and why it happened. I was feeling very lonely. I cried too.”

He further added, “Everywhere I go, I hear murmurs that he will play for India soon. On social media, I have thousands of messages talking about my exclusion. Everyone says your time will come. But now after speaking to my father, I’m back to normal. I will never give up practice, I will not go under depression. Don’t worry, I will keep trying.”

Sarfaraz Khan made a stunning revelation that the selectors, during the 2021/22 Ranji Trophy final in June, had told him to gear up for the Bangladesh series. But he wasn’t picked. The selectors had met him recently as well.

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The flamboyant batter elaborated, “During the Ranji Trophy final at Bangalore, when I scored a century, I met the selectors. I was told that ‘you’ll get your opportunity in Bangladesh. Be ready for that.’ Recently, I met Chetan Sharma sir (chief selector) while we were checking in at the hotel in Mumbai. He asked me not to feel disheartened, and that my time will come. Good things take time to happen. You’re very close (to an India berth). You’ll get your chance. So, when I played another important knock, I had expectations. But it’s alright.”