The omission of Sarfaraz Khan from India A’s squad for the upcoming four-day matches against South Africa A has puzzled fans and experts alike. Despite his stellar domestic record, the Mumbai batter has once again been overlooked — and reports suggest Rishabh Pant’s much-awaited return may be the main reason behind it.
Pant’s Return Shakes Up the Selection
As per a PTI report, Rishabh Pant — making his long-awaited comeback after injury — has been named captain of the India A side and will bat at No. 5 in both matches. That spot was previously being considered for Sarfaraz Khan, who was part of India A’s tour of England earlier this year.
Pant’s inclusion, however, reshaped the team combination, pushing Sarfaraz out of contention for the upcoming series. Given Pant’s importance in India’s long-term Test plans, the selectors reportedly want him to resume his familiar middle-order role.
Sarfaraz’s Fitness and Frustration
Sarfaraz has been among the most consistent batters in India’s domestic circuit, boasting multiple 1000-plus-run Ranji seasons. In a bid to strengthen his national team prospects, he reportedly shed 17 kilograms over the past few months.
Yet, despite his hard work, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee seems unconvinced about where he fits into the current setup. His absence has raised questions about the clarity of the selectors’ long-term vision for him.
Selectors Want Sarfaraz to Bat Higher
According to reports, the selectors believe Sarfaraz’s best chance of breaking into the Test side lies in batting higher up the order — particularly at No. 3. That slot, however, is currently being groomed for Gujarat Titans’ young batter B Sai Sudharsan, who has been named vice-captain for the South Africa A series and will bat at one-down.
A former national selector told PTI that Sarfaraz might need to adjust his role in Mumbai’s Ranji team to keep his India A hopes alive:
“Sarfaraz should talk to the Mumbai management and Ajinkya Rahane about batting at No. 3, where he’ll face the new ball. If he keeps batting at No. 5 or 6, it won’t help. India’s middle order is packed with all-rounders like Pant, Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Reddy.”
A Tough Road Ahead
Sarfaraz’s recent poor run against New Zealand A — where he struggled on rank turners — has also hurt his chances. With top-order positions (Nos. 1–4) seemingly locked and Nos. 5–8 dominated by multi-skilled players, the No. 3 slot may be his only realistic pathway back into national reckoning.
For now, Sarfaraz Khan may have to reinvent his game and take a leap of faith — moving up the order to prove he can be more than just a dependable middle-order finisher.
