Former Indian cricketer thinks Sarfaraz Khan might feel ‘cheated’ after being overlooked for Australia Test series

The Indian Cricket Board recently announced the squads for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and the first two Test matches against Australia. While some players have gotten a golden opportunity to represent the team, some players have been overlooked for the series. Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan is one of them.

Former Indian player Aakash Chopra believes Sarfaraz may feel “cheated” after being left out of India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on the squad and suggested that Sarfaraz might feel betrayed.

“Sarfaraz’s name is still not there. He feels he got cheated because his name should probably have come. Bumrah is still not there. That’s another news but I am more concerned that Sarfaraz is not there.” Chopra said.

Chopra believes that the emerging batter should have been chosen over fellow Mumbaikar Suryakumar Yadav. “When you picked Surya, it means a slot had opened up. In my opinion, Sarfaraz should have gotten that chance because Sarfaraz’s first-class average is 80. Apart from him, only Don Bradman has an average of 80 or more in the number of matches he has played,” he added.

Chopra believes the 25-year-old should have received recognition for his consistent domestic performances. “So he has done everything in his power to be in the Indian team. I am a little disappointed, that if you had a chance to select even one guy because both Surya and Sarfaraz don’t come in the XI, Sarfaraz had the right in my opinion. If someone’s domestic season is going so good, you should have rewarded him,” he continued.

Sarfaraz has 3380 runs at an incredible average of 80.47 in 36 first-class games. The middle-order batsman, who has an unbeaten 301 as his highest score, has 12 first-class centuries and has been at his best in recent years.

India’s squad for the first two Test matches against Australia

Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Shubman Gill, C Pujara, V Kohli, S Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav