It’s an abuse of domestic cricket: Venkatesh Prasad takes aim at selectors who ignore Sarfaraz: The Tribune India

PTI

New Delhi, January 18

Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has come down hard on the BCCI and the national selectors, saying that Sarfaraz Khan’s omission from the upcoming Test series against Australia is “unfair” and an “abuse of domestic cricket”.

The 25-year-old Sarfaraz, who represents Mumbai, is a prolific run-getter in domestic cricket.

On Tuesday, he scored his second century – against Delhi in a Ranji Trophy Group B match – making it the batsman’s 13th first-class ton.

The century, Sarfaraz’s third in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, was yet another reminder to national naysayers that he has the class to be part of India’s Test squad.

“His (Sarfaraz) not being included in the Test team despite three successful domestic seasons is not only unfair to Sarfaraz Khan but an abuse of domestic cricket, almost as if this platform doesn’t matter,” Prasad tweeted.

The former India bowling coach, who has also coached IPL club Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings), also took a jibe at some Indian cricketers, saying there are a lot more heavyweights in the team than Sarfaraz, who. is on the heavier side.

“And he is SUITABLE for scoring those runs. When it comes to body weight, many have more kilos,” added Prasad.

After scoring a century on Tuesday, Sarfaraz made a powerful gesture by removing his helmet, celebrating a thigh-five and gesturing towards his teammates on the boundary line.

In the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, he has amassed 1,910 runs in just 12 games at an average of 136.42.

India and Australia will play four Tests for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting February 9 in Nagpur.