India call-up: Sarfaraz might have to work on his fitness as well as off-field discipline
The Hindu
Sarfaraz Khan’s non-inclusion in the Indian team for the West Indies tour was criticised by none other than Sunil Gavaskar but BCCI sources claimed that his below-par “fitness level” as well as alleged “off-field conduct” has influenced the decision.
Sarfaraz Khan's non-inclusion in the Indian team for the West Indies tour was criticised by none other than Sunil Gavaskar but BCCI sources claimed that his below-par "fitness level" as well as alleged "off-field conduct" has influenced the decision.
The Mumbai batter scored 2566 runs in the last three Ranji seasons. He scored 928 runs in the 2019/20 season, 982 in the 2022-23 and 656 in the 2022-23 season) The 25-year-old has a very impressive career average of 79.65 after 37 red ball games, so it was very surprising that the two-time former India U-19 World Cupper had to make way for someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose career average is 42-plus.
“The angry reactions are understandable but I can tell you with some degree of certainty that the reason behind Sarfaraz getting ignored time and again is not just cricketing one. There are multiple reasons for which he hasn’t been considered,” a BCCI official privy to selection developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“Are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reason is his fitness which isn’t exactly of international standard.
“He has to work hard, maybe shed weight and comeback leaner and fitter as it’s not just batting fitness that is sole criteria for selection,” the source added.
According to the BCCI official, fitness is not the only reason for his non-selection.
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