“You’ll Have an Opportunity…” Sarfaraz Khan Explains What Selector Told Him During Ranji Trophy Final

India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and two Tests against Australia was announced by the BCCI, with batter Suryakumar Yadav earning the elusive call-up in the longest format. The announcement was yet another disappointment for batter Sarafaraz Khan, who was once again overlooked by the selectors despite a blistering domestic run. The 32-year-old cricketer scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75 in the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy, with four centuries and two half-centuries. His highest possible score was 275.

Sarfaraz revealed in a recent interview with the Times of India that he met with the selectors during the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy final match, and that they told him to “be ready” for a Team India call-up for the Bangladesh series.

“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 fans and experts expressed their dissatisfaction with the Mumbai batter’s exclusion from the national team. Sarfaraz stated that he felt “sad” and “lonely” after not being named to the squad.

“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.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, he has scored 431 runs at an average of 107.75 and a strike rate of 70.54, with two centuries and one half-century. In terms of first-class cricket average (80.47), he is only second to the legendary Don Bradman (95.14).

India’s squad for the first two Tests against Australia

Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.