Ravichandran Ashwin enters the case of Sarfaraz Khan; Gives the belt treatment to Gautam Gambir
The former spinner of India Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his disappointment in the face of the recent tests of test squad for the highly anticipated test series against England. Ashwin said that the young striker Sarfaraz Khan did not deserve to be excluded from the team, adding that he had scored a lot of points.
The BCCI announced an Indian team of 18 players for the series against England, from June 20 in Leeds. Following recent test pensions from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the selectors included Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Karun Nair, but Sarfaraz Khan was excluded from the team.
Sarfaraz Khan did not have the opportunity in the Border-Gavaskar 2024-25 trophy
Sarfaraz Khan did not play a single match in the recent Border-Gavaskar (BGT) 2024-25 trophy in Australia. He scored 371 points at an average of 37.1 out of six tests, all played at home.
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After a long wait for his international beginnings, he performed well in the home series against England and New Zealand in 2024. He played his last test against New Zealand, where he only marked one round in two rounds.
However, Sarfaraz is part of India, a team on tour in England, where they will play two first class games against the Lions of England from May 30, followed by an intra-squad match against the main Indian team.
Sarfaraz Khan has already scored a lot of points – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin stressed that Sarfaraz Khan had performed well and did nothing to deserve to be abandoned. Ravichandran Ashwin underlined the need for clear communication of the team management in Sarfaraz. He also congratulated Karun Nair for his selection.
“When the Indian team is selected now, it’s no longer pleasant.
“But if you ask me what Sarfaraz hurt? I have no answer. I really hope someone had a conversation with Sarfaraz, there should be a leadership or management call. He should have the reasoning and the way he can return to the team,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.
“What will Sarfaraz Khan think will think about it? What is impatiently waiting for? He will go to first class cricket and score 1000 points, but that after that? I think it’s very difficult for Sarfaraz Khan, but at the same time, I am very happy for Karun Nair,” added Ashwin.
Karun Nair had an exceptional national season with Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare trophy and the Ranji trophy. He also showed a good form while representing the capital of Delhi (DC) in IPL 2025.
Maybe Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre are at a short distance – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said there was intense competition for the opening places in the T20I team of Team India.
He mentioned several pretenders, including Priyansh Arya, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, adding that Vaibhavas Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre Master could be a little late in the race.
“There is so much competition in this T20i side. Just look at the opening niche, which will he play? Priyansh Arya put her name in the ring, then there is Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal.”
“Perhaps Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre are a short distance from the T20 column. I forgot Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, so the talent of striker is there in abundance,” said Ashwin.
Team India should play its next T20I series against Bangladesh in August, following the conclusion of the 2025 season IPL and the tour in England.
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