Sarfaraz Khan, the flamboyant middle-order batter from Mumbai, had his fitness under scrutiny for a long time, which kept him out of the Indian team despite his remarkable performances in domestic cricket. Sarfaraz consistently piled up runs, making it nearly impossible for the selectors to ignore him. However, his inability to meet the team’s strict fitness standards, particularly regarding his physique, kept him on the sidelines for several years.

Earlier in 2024, when several key Indian batters missed the series against England, the newly formed selection committee finally gave Sarfaraz the opportunity he had been waiting for. Since then, he has been part of India’s Test squad, showing his worth almost immediately. In the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, the 26-year-old delivered a stunning 150-run knock, which was critical for India’s comeback attempt in the match.

Despite Sarfaraz’s heroic efforts, India, led by Rohit Sharma, could not secure a win, but the captain was highly impressed with Sarfaraz’s performance. His strong showing has likely cemented his place in the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22.

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Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on Sarfaraz’s delayed inclusion, stating that fitness obsession, particularly a focus on “slim waists,” had unfairly kept the talented batter out of the team. Gavaskar, writing in his column for Sportstar, criticized the selectors for prioritizing physical appearance over on-field performance, citing Sarfaraz’s exceptional domestic run tally as evidence of his capability.

“Sarfaraz’s returns with the bat were even more impressive than his waistline. Sadly, Indian cricket has had decision-makers obsessed with ideas that are hard to understand,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote. He further compared Sarfaraz to Rishabh Pant, another player who has defied conventional fitness expectations but continues to make a significant impact on the field.

Sunil Gavaskar argued that rather than obsessing over waistlines and conducting yoyo fitness tests, the team management should focus on a player’s mental toughness and overall ability to contribute to the game.

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“Rishabh Pant doesn’t have the slim waist that these fitness purists desire, but what a phenomenal player he is. He also keeps wickets for long hours, which requires endurance and fitness. It’s time to discard these yoyo tests and instead assess how mentally strong a player is,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.

Sarfaraz Khan’s journey highlights the ongoing debate in cricket about the balance between fitness standards and talent, with many advocating for a more holistic approach to player selection.