Seasoned batter Sarfaraz Khan was notably omitted despite a strong domestic record and recent Test performances, while, 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre earned a surprise call-up for the first match of India A against South Africa A. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the 15-man squads on Tuesday for the two games scheduled at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from October 30-November 2 and November 6-9.
Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion has reignited debate about his standing with the national selectors. Despite averaging 65.19 in first-class cricket, performing well for India A in England this summer, and shedding significant weight, the 28-year-old was overlooked. A BCCI source explained the decision, telling TOI, “The reality is that the selectors want to ensure that Sarfaraz gets to play as many matches in the Ranji Trophy as possible after his return from injury. He would’ve missed the next few rounds... had he been included.” The source added that while inclusion in the second match was considered, preference was given to senior India players seeking match practice.
Conversely, Ayush Mhatre's selection comes despite a recent poor showing for the India U-19 team in Australia, 38 runs in two 'Tests', 10 runs in three ODIs. However, the selectors appear to be backing his potential, possibly based on his earlier strong performances against England U-19s and his domestic stats of 504 first-class runs, 458 List A runs. Ayush's father, Yogesh Mhatre, called the selection a "surprise Diwali gift" and a "golden opportunity," saluting the selectors' "thinking behind investing in him."
The non-selection of Sarfaraz has drawn criticism, including allegations of bias. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed questioned on X if Sarfaraz was excluded "because of his surname," prompting a strong rebuttal from BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, who accused her of attempting to "divide even our cricket team on communal lines." Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also weighed in, suggesting a potential "lack of communication" and that the snub could be interpreted negatively by the player.
"He has reduced his weight, and he has been scoring runs; he also scored a century in his last Test series. And this sort of non-selection leads me to think that someone must have been thinking that we have seen enough of him," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. He added, "It's literally like the door has been shut. Where will he perform?... Where will he go and prove his credentials? Where will he show that he has improved? So, such non-selection feels like someone's decision... that we are no longer looking at him.” The situation leaves Sarfaraz, despite consistent performances, facing uncertainty about his future selection prospects.