'Stop Playing Ranji Trophy': Gavaskar Slams India Selectors For Neglecting Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz’s current average is of 82 in the Ranji trophy and he is standing only behind Vijay Merchant (98.35) and Sachin Tendulkar (87.37).

Former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar during day two of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India at The Oval.

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The BCCI on Friday announced the Indian squads for two Tests and three-match One-Day-Internationals (ODIs) against West Indies where they have not picked a few players who have had a great domestic season. One such player is Sarfaraz Khan as he is only the second batter after Don Bradman in the chart of highest batting averages in first-class cricket for cricketers who have collected more than 2000 runs.

Sarfaraz’s current average is of 82 in the Ranji trophy and he is standing only behind Vijay Merchant (98.35) and Sachin Tendulkar (87.37). He is also the first cricketer to score more than 900 runs in two consecutive Ranji seasons. The 25-year-old batter collected 928 runs in the 2019-20 season at an average of 154, followed it up by smashing 982 runs at an average of 122.75 in the 2021–22 Ranji season, including four centuries.

The Mumbai-based batter has made a total of 3,505 runs in 37 first-class matches at an average of 79.65, including 13 centuries. Even after racking so many runs in the domestic circuit for India, Sarfaraz did not get a spot in India’s squad for the West Indies series, starting on July 12.

After Sarfaraz's non-selection, cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar asked a few tough questions to the BCCI selection committee.

"Sarfaraz Khan has been scoring at an average of 100 in all past three seasons. What does he have to do to be picked in the squad? He might not be in the XI, but you pick him in the team," Gavaskar told Sports Today.

"Tell him that his performances are being recognised. Otherwise, stop playing Ranji Trophy. Say, it's of no use, you just play IPL and think you are good enough for the red-ball game as well."

"You've got four opening batters for two Test matches. This is not the old West Indies fast-bowling attack where you needed six openers."

The Indian team will take part in two-Tests, three One-Day-Internationals (ODIs), and a five-match T20 International series against West Indies, starting from July 12. With the beginning of the red ball series, India will kick-start their campaign in World Test Championship Cycle (2023-25), which got started with the ongoing England vs Australia five-match Ashes 2023 Test series.