India’s roster for the forthcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and two Test matches against Australia was unveiled by the BCCI, and batsman Suryakumar Yadav finally received a call-up for the longest format. The news came as yet another letdown for batsman Sarafaraz Khan, who was once more passed over by the selectors despite having a stellar domestic cricket career. The 32-year-old batsman scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75 in the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy, including four centuries and two half–centuries. His best mark was a 275.
Sarfaraz said that he had seen the selectors during the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy final match, and they had told him to “be ready” for a call-up to Team India for the Bangladesh series. This was revealed in a recent interview with the Times of India.
“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 expectations. But it’s alright,” Sarfaraz told Times of India.
Many cricket enthusiasts and experts came forward to voice their disappointment over the Mumbai batter’s absence from the national team. Sarfaraz claimed that after not being included in the squad, he felt extremely “sad” and “lonely.”
“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.