BCCI official's remark about 'off-field conduct' adds to Sarfaraz Khan's non-selection debate

After much criticism of Sarfaraz Khan's non-selection in the Test squad for the West Indies series, a BCCI official has revealed reasons behind the selectors' much speculated move.

"The angry reactions are understandable but I can tell you with some degree of certainty that the reason behind Sarfaraz getting ignored time and again is not just cricketing one. There are multiple reasons for which he hasn't been considered," a BCCI official privy to selection developments told news agency PTI on conditions of anonymity.

From Sunil Gavaskar to Wasim Jaffer and several cricket enthusiasts have strongly criticised BCCI's move to leave out Khan, who has repeatedly produced excellent figures in the domestic circuit.

The Mumbai batter scored 2566 runs in the last three Ranji seasons. He scored 928 runs in the 2019/20 season, 982 in the 2022-23 and 656 in the 2022-23 season.

"Are the selectors fools to not consider a player who has scored 900 plus runs in successive seasons? One of the reason is his fitness which isn't exactly of international standard,' the BCCI official claimed.

They added, 'He has to work hard, maybe shed weight and comeback leaner and fitter as it's not just batting fitness that is sole criteria for selection.'

But his fitness is not the only issue, according to the BCCI official.

'His conduct on and off the field hasn't exactly been top notch. Certain things said, certain gestures made and some incidents have been taken note of. A bit more disciplined approach would only do him a world of good. Hopefully, Sarfaraz along with his father and coach Naushad Khan will work on those aspects,' they said.

Reportedly, Sarfaraz's celebrations after his hundred against Delhi earlier this year during a Ranji game, didn't go down well.

with PTI inputs