Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
With Sarfaraz Khan’s India A snub turning political, and indirectly and deplorably a “communal bias” being mentioned by some political functionaries, Irfan Pathan, the former India cricketer, has urged everyone to put things in perspective.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the ex-left-arm seamer has condemned the subversion of truth. “Selectors and the coach (management) will always have a plan,” Irfan wrote. “Sometimes it might look wrong in the fans’ eyes, but please don’t twist things or create narratives that aren’t even close to the truth.”
Sarfaraz wasn’t picked in the India A squads for the two upcoming multi-day matches against South Africa A that would be played in the lead-up to the Test series between India and South Africa in November. By selecting the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has rewarded the performances in domestic cricket. Sarfaraz, though, found himself out of favour despite boasting an average north of 110 in first-class cricket over the last five years. In his last outing for India A, against England Lions at Canterbury in June, the 27-year-old had scored 92.
Last month, when India A played two multi-day matches against Australia A, Sarfaraz was nursing an injury. But now he is fit. He has played Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Jammu and Kashmir, and he will be turning up in the next game against Chhattisgarh from Saturday.
The political controversy — mixing religion and sport — over his exclusion, however, is uncalled for. It erupted after Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed accused India head coach Gautam Gambhir of religious bias as regards Sarfaraz’s India A omission.
“Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter,” Shama posted on X.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla rebuffed it by posting on the same platform: “This lady and her party are sick. After calling Rohit Sharma fat, she and her party now want to divide even our cricket team on communal lines? Desh ka partition karke mann nahi bhara kya? In the same team, Mohammad Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed will play! Stop dividing India on communal and caste lines.”
Indian sport has always been talent-driven. Bringing political dog whistles into cricket is as nonsensical as it is nauseating. This is an Indian team where a Mohammed (Siraj) is the MVP. He is loved and adored by his teammates, coaching staff and a billion fans in the country.
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