Danish Kaneria, the former Pakistan spinner has slammed Indian selectors for ignoring Sarfaraz Khan for the first two Tests against Australia.
Danish Kaneria reckons that no one in Team India is as consistent as Sarfaraz Khan at the moment. He feels that ignorance can affect Sarfaraz Khan’s game.
Danish Kaneria: Sarfaraz Khan Will Get Disheartened If Confidence Is Not Shown By Picking Him In Indian Team
Sarfaraz Khan, a former U-19 India cricketer, finished the 2021-22 Ranji season with the most runs. In six matches, he scored a total of 982 runs at an average of 122.75. In the 2019-20 season of the premier domestic tournament as well, Sarfaraz Khan impressed everyone with his performance and scored 928 runs in six matches.
There’s a reason why Sarfaraz Khan has been trending on Twitter or social media despite not being picked for India so far. In 36 first-class games, the 25-year-old has scored 3380 runs at an incredible average of 80.47.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Danish Kaneria said: “If you don’t bring him now, then when? I don’t think anyone has a better form than Sarfaraz currently, even in the Indian team. He will get disheartened if you don’t raise his confidence or spirits. Keep an eye on him.”
So far this season, Sarfaraz Khan has amassed 556 runs in six first-class games for Mumbai at an average of 92.66, including three centuries. He scored 125 runs in his last game. Last season, the 25-year-old scored 982 runs in six FC games at an average of 122.75, including four hundred. In the preceding season, he scored 928 runs in six FC games at an average of 154.67, including three tons.
Danish Kaneria: Sarfaraz Khan Should Be Part Of The Squad As It’s Not Right To Ignore Him After Doing So Well In Domestic Cricket
Danish Kaneria feels that the selectors could have at least named Sarfaraz Khan in the T20I squad in the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to boost his morale.
He said: “Sarfaraz Khan, who has scored well in domestic cricket, is being ignored. He should be part of the squad. If you don’t give these players a chance, it’s not right (zyati). He is scripting record after record and making lots of runs.”
Sridharan Sharath, national selector, in a recent conversation confirmed that Sarfaraz Khan did not fit into their squad, but he is on the radar.
He said: “He is certainly on our radar. In due course, he will get his due. While picking the team, we have to consider things like composition and balance.”
India’s squad for the first two Tests against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
Rohit Sharma and Co. will play their first Test against Australia in Nagpur, starting February 9.