NEW DELHI: Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the India A squad for the upcoming four-day matches against South Africa A has once again raised questions over his selection prospects. Despite being among India’s most consistent domestic performers, the Mumbai batter continues to wait for a regular opportunity at the highest level.

Rishabh Pant returns to lead India A against South Africa A

As per a report by The Indian Express, “he wasn’t selected for the two-Test series because he wasn’t fully match-fit and the Center of Excellence (COE) had not cleared his fitness.”

But Sarfaraz wasn’t selected for the two-Test series against West Indies, even though he had been told earlier that he would be considered for the home assignment. His exclusion despite strong performances highlighted how fitness, rather than form, proved decisive this time.

The report further mentioned that “the senior selection committee picked that team on September 25 while Sarfaraz cleared his fitness test on September 27.”

This timing became the turning point. Since he was cleared only two days after the Test squad was announced, Sarfaraz missed the cut. The selectors did not add him under the usual “subject to fitness” category — a relaxation many others have benefited from in the past.

“It’s learned that he was only included in that team (India A’s Tour of England) because it was felt that his absence might raise uncomfortable questions as he was a contracted player,” The report added.

That detail suggests his inclusion for the England tour earlier this year was partly to avoid controversy, given his BCCI contract status. However, even after performing well on that tour, he remains on the sidelines as selectors continue to assess his readiness.

The report also noted that “unlike many Indian players, the Mumbai batsman didn’t get the leverage of ‘subject to fitness’ category in his selection.”

This reveals how strictly the selectors applied the rules in his case, offering no conditional selection despite his outstanding domestic form and consistent fitness work.

Sarfaraz’s first-class record speaks volumes — 4,759 runs in 56 matches at an average of 65.19. He has one century and three half-centuries in six Tests for India but hasn’t played since November 2024.

According to PTI inputs cited by The Indian Express, “there is a school of thought among selectors that Sarfaraz should only be tried in a slot where the Indian team management is still uncertain. Right now, that slot is no. 3.”

This indicates that selectors now view him as a potential top-order option rather than a middle-order batter, where India already have several all-round alternatives. B Sai Sudharsan, who will bat at No. 3 in the upcoming India A games under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, is currently being tested in that role.

Selectors have also advised that “Sarfaraz should have a chat with the Mumbai team management and also with their senior-most player Ajinkya Rahane, and maybe, try out batting at No. 3 where he might have to play the new ball.”

This suggestions reflects an effort to push Sarfaraz toward a new challenge — proving his mettle higher up the order, where technical skill and temperament are tested early.

The report concluded that “if he keeps batting at No. 5 or 6, it won’t help. India have more all-round options for those slots.”