NEW DELHI — Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the India A squad has triggered widespread backlash on social media, with users criticising head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar on platform X.
Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed has alleged that Gautam Gambhir showed religious bias in the selection of the India A squad, which is scheduled to face the touring South African side in Bengaluru during October–November.
Announced on Tuesday, the India A squad has come under scrutiny following the omission of Sarfaraz Khan. The move has sparked criticism and reignited debate over the perceived neglect of one of domestic cricket’s most consistent performers, TNIE reported.
The decision has also raised doubts over whether the Mumbai batter is even in contention for a spot in the second-string side.
Taking to X, the Congress national spokesperson alleged that Sarfaraz was omitted because of his surname.
Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname ! #justasking . We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 22, 2025
“Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname!,” she wrote with the hashtag “justasking”.
She further wrote, “We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter,” hinting at the national team coach’s stint in the BJP.
Meet Sarfaraz Khan:
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 21, 2025
– he avg 65+ in FC,
– he did great vs Eng in his debit series when India were 0-1 down,
– he scored 150 runs 2 tests ago,
– reduced 17 kg weight
– passed yoyo test
Not picked for Ind-A, another career destroyed by Agarkar & Gambhir!!pic.twitter.com/W6BnG7cceJ
The comment sparked mixed reactions, with users divided in their opinions.
“That being the case, Gautam Gambhir deserves to be sacked, no caste, creed, colour, religion in Indian sports,” one user wrote.
In another X post, a user wrote, “Another career destroyed by Agarkar & Gambhir.”
Meet Sarfaraz Khan:
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 21, 2025
– he avg 65+ in FC,
– he did great vs Eng in his debit series when India were 0-1 down,
– he scored 150 runs 2 tests ago,
– reduced 17 kg weight
– passed yoyo test
Not picked for Ind-A, another career destroyed by Agarkar & Gambhir!!pic.twitter.com/W6BnG7cceJ
Another questioned the allegation, commenting, “Really? Or is it just cricketing form, team balance, and performance that decide selection? Let’s not drag surnames into everything.”
Several users also mentioned Mohammed Siraj’s name to challenge the claim.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also questioned why Sarfaraz was not picked for the India A team despite his consistent performances in domestic cricket.
Sarfaraz last featured for the national team in the home series against New Zealand in November 2024. He also did not get a chance to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
He was overlooked for the England tour despite undergoing physical transformation and was not considered for the home series against the West Indies.
Fans were naturally surprised when Sarfaraz was not even named in the India A squad for the upcoming series.
Over the summer, he had lost 17 kilograms to become leaner and the fittest he has ever been.
On Tuesday, the BCCI named the 15-man India A squad for the two first-class games against South Africa A.
The 28-year-old Mumbai batter has continued to pile up runs in domestic cricket, remaining a consistent performer after breaking into the Indian team last year.
