Xtra Time Web Desk: There has been a lot of talks surrounding Sarfaraz Khan’s omission from India’s upcoming tour to West Indies despite scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket. Former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar have criticized the selectors for overlooking Sarafaraz. However, there are multiple reasons why the Mumbai batter has been overlooked by the selectors despite scoring over 900 runs in successive domestic season.
One of the main reasons for Sarfaraz’s snub is his weakness against short ball. Another reason is his fitness as the selectors feel he is over-weight and needs to work on his fitness. The third most important reason is his discipline on and off the field.
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Sarfaraz’s wild celebration and gesture towards erstwhile selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma after notching up a century against Delhi earlier this year during a Ranji Trophy game did not go down well. During 2022 Ranji Trophy final, his conduct during a break had irked MP coach and Mumbai stalwart Chandrakant Pandit.
So, it is not just cricketing reason that the Mumbai cricketer is not picked in the senior team. The most important thing that Sarfaraz needs to work out is to curb his behaviour which at times have been questioned.
There are other batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane , a fit again Shreyas Iyer, who are above in the pecking order as well. So, Sarafaraz will have to wait for his chances. If he keeps performing the way he has done with the bat in last two seasons, it will be difficult for the selectors to leave him out.