Veteran Australia star Ricky Ponting showed his deep feelings for younger batter Sarfaraz Khan without hesitating. The exceptional first-class batting average of Sarfaraz has made the former Australia cricketer even more frustrated with the Indian selectors for failing to provide him with the opportunity to play during the Test match against the West Indies.
Notably, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad got their first-ever call-ups after the Indian Cricket Board unveiled the squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies; however, 25-year-old batter Sarfaraz Khan was left out. Following that, it became clear that the right-handed batter had been dismissed not for his on-field exploits but actually because of his behaviour issues on the field as well as fitness problems.
They keep picking these other guys ahead of him: Ricky Ponting
In the same vein, ex-cricketer Ponting expressed wonder that a batter of such talent hadn’t received the chance to play in Test cricket. “Sarfaraz Khan is someone I feel a bit sorry about. He hasn’t got a look in a Test squad yet considering he averages in the 80s, which is absolutely unheard of, but for some reason, they keep picking these other guys ahead of him,” Ponting told the Apex Cricket Council.
The Mumbai-born batter has been repeatedly rejected for inclusion in Test matches despite accumulating substantial scores and records in domestic red-ball cricket over the past three seasons, sparking some fans to speculate that Sarfaraz gets unfair treatment by the selectors. Fans had been expecting Sarfaraz Khan to get a debut call-up as India started the next phase after their loss in the WTC Final 2023, which eventually resulted in Pujara being dismissed as a consequence. However, the selectors gave Jaiswal and Gaikwad their first-ever Test invites over Sarfaraz Khan.
Meanwhile, following that, Indian star opener Jaiswal went on to make an international appearance for India while bringing home the Player of the Match award, on his way to surpassing a number of milestones as the 21-year-old left-handed batter had crossed the three-figure mark during the first Test against the home team.
Here is how the fans reacted:
Considering sorry for sarfaraj and nitish Rana both these batsmen performed well in the past but bcci did not give them a call
— Pritom Roy (@pritomroy18) July 15, 2023
Ricky Ponting also every year says that this IPL going be the IPL of Prithvi Shaw. ?
— viSH (@viishal) July 15, 2023
Some reason huh….what could it be?
— Arko Basu (@arko666) July 15, 2023
Look how he performed in duleep trophy. He actually struggles against good bowling attack.
— kuldeep singh (@ksnaruka99) July 15, 2023
Religion politics
— sav (@Aqua777444) July 15, 2023
100% agree with @RickyPonting
Due to his muslim religion,he is neglected by BCCI
Jab tak BCCI BJP ke control rahega,tab tak sab kuch jati dharm ke aadhar par hi hoga
— Abhishek gupta (@me_abhishek11) July 15, 2023
Lobbying for dc player.
— Honey (@1hsharma) July 15, 2023
He will ultimately get a chance in a tough series say England or Down under then will play few tests with not so good scores and layer dropped…some players are not destined to be great… ?
— DIVYANSHU GUPTA (@divyanshu1310) July 15, 2023
Sarfaraz should move to Eng or Australia imho #SarafarazKhan
— Nimit (@Aageyse_Left) July 15, 2023
