Congress Politician and spokesperson of All Indian Congress Committee Dr. Shama Mohamed has triggered a row over Sarfaraz Khan's non-selection in the India A squad for a couple of four-day matches against South Africa A. Mohamed has seemingly coach Gautam Gambhir over Sarfaraz's non-selection, questioning if his surname is a problem.
The right-handed batter's snub was arguably the most surprising of the lot, given his outstanding first-class numbers as he averages a mind-boggling 65.19 in 56 matches. Having made his Test debut last year during the home series against England, Sarfaraz has struck 371 runs in six Tests at 37.10 with three half-centuries and one ton. His best of 150 came against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru but hasn't played since that series.
Watch the below tweet as Mohamed wrote on X:
"Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname ! #justasking . We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter."
India A squad to face South Africa A
India A squad for the 1st four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain
India A squad for the 2nd four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
With Rishabh Pant making a comeback to competitive cricket for the first time since the gruesome toe injury, he will use the two four-day games to gear up for the Test series against South Africa. The two-Test series against the Proteas begins on November 14.
