Teams were unveiled for Team India’s white-ball series against New Zealand and their first two Test matches against Australia on Friday. While Ishan Kishan was given his first Test call-up, Sarfaraz Khan, who has been scoring runs on the domestic circuit for the past few years, was once again passed over. The next month will see Australia and India play four Test matches.
Ishan Kishan has been included in the squad as India understands Rishabh Pant to be out of the sport for quite a sometime. KS Bharat continues to be a backup wicket keeper but with Ishan Kishan’s inexperience in the international Test format, KS Bharat can be the priority.
Questions have been raised about the BCCI’s choice to leave Sarfaraz Khan out of the team for the upcoming home series against New Zealand by a number of former Indian cricketers.
Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan tweeted “Ranji trophy performances should be the first criteria for test selections!”
Ranji trophy performances should be the first criteria for test selections!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 14, 2023
Former India opener, Akash Chopra wrote on Twitter, “There was a bit of an opening in the Test squad…was hoping that Sarfaraz will make it to the squad. He’s done everything that one could do to deserve a call-up. #IndvAus.”
There was a bit of an opening in the Test squad…was hoping that Sarfaraz will make it to the squad. He’s done everything that one could do to deserve a call-up. #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 13, 2023
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle too tweeted, “Very hard on Sarfaraz Khan who has literally broken the door down in first class cricket. You can’t do more than he has.”
Very hard on Sarfaraz Khan who has literally broken the door down in first class cricket. You can't do more than he has.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2023