Shardul Thakur is confident Sarfaraz Khan can reclaim his Test place without the aid of another India A tour. Speaking in Mumbai ahead of the second round of the Ranji Trophy, the Mumbai captain argued that a stack of domestic runs will do the persuading for the 27-year-old batter, who last played a Test in October 2024.
“Nowadays, for the India A side they look at boys, who they want to prepare for international cricket,” Thakur said. “Sarfaraz doesn’t need India A game to play international cricket. If he gets back to scoring again, he can straightaway go and play Test series also.”
Key facts first: Sarfaraz debuted against England in early 2024, featured in six Tests, and toured Australia later that year, but he has not been selected since the home series against New Zealand 12 months ago. While he has previously travelled with India A to Australia and England, his name was missing from the squad that departs for South Africa next week.
Form and fitness
Sarfaraz returned from a hamstring strain only last week. In Mumbai’s 35-run win over Jammu & Kashmir he made 42 and 32: useful starts, not the sizeable statements that have become his trademark. Thakur, though, sees enough indicators.
“He is coming from injury layoff. But before that, he scored two-three centuries in the Buchi Babu Trophy before getting injured,” the all-rounder reminded reporters. “Coming back against J&K in the previous match, he had a nice 40 (42). It was very unfortunate to have been run out. But for him, I don’t think playing India A is important. He is a senior pro and whenever we put him in there in the 22 yards, he is someone who always delivers in crunch situations.”
A glance at the ledger supports Thakur’s case. Since 2019-20 Sarfaraz averages over 80 in first-class cricket, with a habit of turning starts into huge hundreds. Thakur spelled it out:
“He has big scores of 200-250s and those innings have come when the team was two or three down quite early in the innings. To play that kind of innings under pressure, you have to have something special in you. He is one of the special players who never disappoints to perform and put up big scores. He has done it for years and years. Regardless of which number he bats, I think he will deliver.”
Selection picture
India’s middle order has become competitive again after the emergence of youngsters during last winter’s tours, and the selectors have tended to reward performances on A trips. Former India coach Lalchand Rajput, contacted by phone, offered a measured view: “Runs in the Ranji Trophy remain the best currency. If Sarfaraz piles them up, the door reopens, with or without an A badge.”
Next assignment
Mumbai host Chhattisgarh from Saturday. The pitch at the Bandra-Kurla Complex usually offers early seam movement before flattening out—conditions Sarfaraz has previously exploited. Another substantial score would strengthen Thakur’s argument and place the selectors under gentle pressure ahead of the home Tests against Bangladesh in December.
For now, the message from his captain is clear: forget the flight to South Africa, focus on runs at home, and the international call will follow.
