Sarfaraz Khan Excluded from England Tour: Analyzing the Reasons Behind the Decision

Sarfaraz Khan's Absence from the Test Squad

Sarfaraz Khan found himself sidelined during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, remaining on the bench for the entire series. Despite being included in the squad for all five matches, he did not get a chance to play. Now, as the team prepares for the upcoming series, he has been omitted from the Test lineup, raising questions about the fairness of this decision. It seems unjust for a player to be dropped without any allegations against him.

A significant question arises: What led the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to exclude Sarfaraz from the England tour? Cheteshwar Pujara speculates that there could be two or three factors influencing this choice.

Pujara suggests that one reason might be the selectors' belief that Sarfaraz could struggle in overseas conditions. This concern appears valid, especially since he was not considered during the recent Australia tour.

In an interview, Pujara remarked, "The reason he is not in the squad, I feel, is he has been very successful in the Asian conditions or in India. The management feels that he may not be as successful in Australia or in England."

Another aspect to consider is Sarfaraz's fitness. Although he was never significantly overweight, he needed to improve his fitness levels. He has since worked hard, losing 10 kilograms through a strict diet in preparation for the India A tour starting on May 30.

Pujara commented on this, stating, "And there were some fitness issues in the past. I don’t know about his current fitness. But he has been working hard on his fitness also."

Additionally, the performance of other players may have played a crucial role in Sarfaraz's exclusion. He has not participated in any matches since November 2024, while players like Karun Nair and Shreyas Iyer have excelled. Although only one of them was selected, their impressive performances likely diminished Sarfaraz's chances.

Pujara expressed his thoughts, saying, "I feel it’s a bit unfortunate. But at the same time, someone like Karun Nair, who has performed really well in domestic cricket, deserved an opportunity."