Shardul Thakur, his captain for Mumbai, stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selects cricket players for the India A team based on their potential for international competition. After he resumes playing for Mumbai, he thinks Sarfaraz Khan will rejoin the Indian squad. In the first two innings of Mumbai’s 2025–26 Ranji Trophy match, Sarfaraz Khan scored 42 and 32.
During India’s disastrous 0–3 loss to New Zealand in the Test series in 2024, Sarfaraz Khan made his final appearance for his country. The following Border-Gavaskar series was missed by him. Sarfaraz Khan changed his appearance before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, losing a few pounds to get in peak condition. He was unable to return to the team for the UK tour, though. When he was left off the roster for the home Test series against the West Indies, he experienced yet another setback.
The biggest surprise for supporters, though, was that he was left out of India A’s selection for the series against South Africa A. The Mumbai batsman will now try to get back into the Test team by scoring runs in the local circuit.
The India A team now looks at boys that they wish to train for international cricket. Sarfraz can play international cricket without having to play for India A. “He can immediately go and play Test series as well if he starts scoring again,” Thakur told the media prior to Mumbai’s match against Chhattisgarh, which kicks off on Saturday, October 25.
“He had a fantastic 40 (42) in the previous match after coming back against J&K. It was a great shame to have ran out. But playing for India A isn’t important to him,” Thakur stated, expressing faith in Sarfaraz’s capacity to make an impact in crucial games.
For years and years, he has done this: Shardul Thakur On Sarfaraz
Sarfaraz Khan was unable to establish himself in the main Test team despite traveling with the India A sides to Australia and England earlier this year. Against the England Lions in Canterbury, he famously hit a cool 92, putting his doubters to rest with a strong showing in English conditions that were conducive to bounce and pace.
Thakur stated that he had faith in Sarfaraz, stating that the 28-year-old has made significant runs for Mumbai, particularly during times of duress. No matter what position Sarfaraz bats at, the all-rounder supported him to succeed.
He is an experienced professional who consistently performs well under pressure anytime we put him in the 22 yards. His 200-250-run innings have occurred while the team was down two or three runs early in the innings. “You have to have something special in you to play that kind of innings under pressure,” he remarked, referring to Sarfaraz’s mentality.
“He is one of the unique athletes who consistently delivers and scores high. For years and years, he has been doing it. No matter what number he bats, I believe he will deliver,” Thakur said.
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