Sarfaraz Khan’s rejection for the first two Test matches against Australia next month startled cricket fans, analysts, and seasoned players. The 25-year-old has had an outstanding Ranji Trophy career thus far, and during the past three seasons, he has been on a run-scoring rampage of epic proportions. And now Sarfaraz has spoken out about his absence, sharing his initial feelings after being rejected as well as the specifics of a recent conversation he had with the chairman of the selection committee, Chetan Sharma.
Sarfaraz scored 928 runs at 154.66 batting average during the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy season. He accomplished 982 runs at 122.75 in 2021/22 for the next edition. Additionally, he has completed 801 runs at 89 in the current edition. His remarkable streak over three consecutive seasons has left him with a career first-class average of 80.47, which is just behind Don Bradman for the second-best mark among batters with at least 50 innings.
Any player would expect great things from such a run and level of consistency. Denial would inevitably result in heartbreak. In an interview with the Times of India, Sarfaraz disclosed the same. “When the team was announced and my name wasn’t there, I was very sad. Anyone in my place in this world would’ve been sad, because I had expected to be picked, but wasn’t (chosen). Yesterday, I was sad the whole day, when we travelled from Guwahati to Delhi. I was thinking about what and why it happened. I was feeling very lonely. I cried too,” he said.
Sarfaraz then made the startling admission that the selectors had instructed him to prepare for the Bangladesh series during the June 2021–2022 Ranji Trophy final. He was not chosen, though. Recently, the selectors had also met with him. “During the Ranji Trophy final at Bangalore, when I scored a century, I met the selectors. I was told that ‘you’ll get your opportunity in Bangladesh. Be ready for that.’ Recently, I met Chetan Sharma sir (chief selector) while we were checking in at the hotel in Mumbai. He asked me not to feel disheartened, and that my time will come. Good things take time to happen. You’re very close (to an India berth). You’ll get your chance. So, when I played another important knock, I had expectation. But it’s alright,” he revealed.