Sarfaraz Khan, a domestic cricket powerhouse with a first-class average exceeding 110 over the past five years, has once again been excluded from the India A squad set to face South Africa A in two four-day matches starting October 30, 2025, in Bengaluru. The 28-year-old Mumbai batter, who last played for India against New Zealand in November 2024, missed the earlier Australia A series due to a foot fracture. Despite a remarkable recovery, including losing 17 kg to boost fitness and scoring 92 for India A against England Lions earlier this year, Khan was sidelined to accommodate Rishabh Pant’s return as captain. This decision has sparked widespread frustration among fans and drawn sharp political reactions.

Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed escalated the issue on October 21, 2025, alleging religious bias in Khan’s exclusion. In a post on X, she questioned, “Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter,” implicating India head coach Gautam Gambhir and hinting at discrimination due to Khan’s Muslim identity. Her remarks echoed concerns from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and spokesperson Waris Pathan, who highlighted Khan’s stellar record and international performances against England and New Zealand. Pathan told NDTV, “What else must he do to get the selectorial nod? You can’t play with the career of a young talent,” questioning the fairness of the selection process.

The BJP swiftly denounced Mohamed’s comments as divisive, with spokesperson CR Kesavan labeling them “disgusting” and accusing Congress of attempting to “partition our Indian cricket team on religious lines.” Kesavan, speaking to NDTV, referenced the inclusion of Muslim players like Mohammed Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed to refute bias claims and recalled Mohamed’s earlier controversy for fat-shaming former captain Rohit Sharma, which led to a Congress-mandated post deletion. Former cricketer Atul Wassan also dismissed the allegations as “preposterous,” acknowledging Khan’s deserving case but insisting, “This has never happened in Indian sport. Time and again, we get to hear this religion card.”

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BCCI sources suggest Khan’s omission allows him to focus on Ranji Trophy matches to build form post-injury, with selectors previously citing fitness concerns. However, the repeated snubs, despite his domestic dominance and adaptability—recently experimenting at No. 3 for Mumbai—fuel speculation about selection transparency. As the India A series, featuring talents like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, approaches, the controversy underscores broader debates over merit and fairness in Indian cricket, with Khan’s supporters hoping his resilience will soon secure the recognition his talent demands.

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