Vengsarkar condemns Agarkar and Gambhir for ignoring Sarafraz
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has lashed out at the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for repeatedly ignoring Sarafraz Khan, despite the Mumbai batsman’s consistent performances in domestic cricket. Sarfaraz recently hit 157 off 75 balls for Mumbai against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, helping Mumbai surpass 400 runs. While speaking to The Times of India, Vengsarkar expressed shock over the decision to leave out Sarfaraz from all formats, highlighting his contributions whenever given a chance by the selectors. “You know, the thing is, it’s really shocking for me that he is not picked up in any format for India, when he has been doing so consistently, even for India, also when he got an opportunity. I watched him and Devdutt Padikkal batting together against England in Dharamshala. It was a crucial session. They batted beautifully and forged together an important partnership, which ultimately helped India win the Test match,” said Vengsarkar. The 69-year-old also criticized the team management for not giving Sarfaraz a single opportunity during the 2024/25 tour of Australia, describing the decision as a “real shame.” “And after that (home series against England), he didn’t get an opportunity (to play another Test). Of course, he was on the tour of Australia (the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), but he wasn’t given a chance at all, and that really baffles me, because he’s a good enough player to play in all formats of the game. Such a talent has been ignored and neglected. It’s a real shame!” the former India selector added. In 2024, Sarfaraz made his Test debut under Rohit Sharma’s leadership at home against England in February. Since then, he has made 371 runs in six Tests at an average of 37.10, striking at a healthy 74.94, with a century and three fifties in 11 innings and a best score of 150.
