Follow UsFormer India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is Director of Cricket at Delhi Capitals, has questioned the omission of Sarfaraz Khan and has claimed that the Mumbai youngster, at some point, ‘deserves an opportunity’ due to the sheer amount of runs he’s scored at the domestic level.
Sarfaraz, whose first-class average of 79.65 is only second to the great Don Bradman in FC history, was a notable absentee in India’s Test squad for the two-Test series against West Indies starting next month. The selectors gave no explanation as to why the 25-year-old was left out, and Ganguly admitted that he was ‘surprised’ by the omission of the middle-order batter.
"I feel for Sarfaraz Khan. At some point he should get an opportunity for the amount of runs that he has scored in past three years,” Ganguly told PTI.
"And same thing for Abhimanyu Easwaran for the tons of runs he has scored in last five to six years. I am surprised that both of them have been omitted but they should get a chance in future. But Yashasvi Jasiwal is a good selection."
There were certain reports which suggested that Sarfaraz had been left out due to being susceptible against high pace but Ganguly, who has seen the youngster from close quarters at Delhi Capitals, rubbished suggestions that the 25-year-old is not proficient against the quicker bowlers.
"If you don't play him against fast bowling, how do you know?" Ganguly said.
"If he had problems he wouldn't have scored so many runs all around [India]. I personally feel he has no problems against fast bowling and he should be given an opportunity."
Speaking of India’s Test squad for the West Indies Tests, Ganguly also admitted that he was puzzled by the decision to reinstate Ajinkya Rahane as vice-captain. The former BCCI President argued that it would have made more sense to make someone like a Ravindra Jadeja, a regular in red-ball cricket, vice-captain over Rahane, who only a month ago was not in the Test picture before earning a surprise recall.
“You have been out for 18 months, then you play a Test and you become a vice-captain. I don't understand the thought process behind it. There is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been there for a long time and a certainty in Test matches, he is a candidate.
"... but to just come back and straightway become vice-captain after 18 months, I don't understand. My only thing is that selection shouldn't be hot and cold. There has to be continuity and consistency in selection."
Ganguly also attested that the selectors must communicate to the veterans — such as Pujara — about the plan they have for them, going forward. Whether they’ll be completely moving on from them, or whether they’ll continue to remain in contention despite age and recent history working against them.
"Selectors should have a clear idea about him [Pujara]," Ganguly said. "Do they need him to play Test cricket anymore or do they want to continue with youngsters, and communicate it to him. Somebody like Pujara can't be dropped, then picked, dropped again and then picked. Same with Ajinkya Rahane also."