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Congress leader Shama Mohamed on Wednesday alleged religious bias in the selection process of the Indian cricket team after batter Sarfaraz Khan was left out of the recently announced squads. The selection committee’s decision to omit the middle-order Mumbai batter from the India A squad on Tuesday reignited debate over the alleged unfair treatment of one of domestic cricket's most consistent performers. The 28-year-old cricketer last played for the India team against New Zealand in a home series last year. Reacting to the development, Congress leader Shama Mohamed alleged that Khan was left out due to his "surname". "Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter," said Mohamed, who drew immense criticism for fat-shaming former skipper Rohit Sharma earlier this year. The BJP hit out at the Congress for trying to "partition" the cricket team on religious lines. "This disgusting tweet clearly exposes the divisive mentality and prejudiced and discriminatory mindset of the Congress. The communal Congress party is now trying to partition our Indian cricket team on religious lines. This is condemnable. Toxic politics of polarisation have been the toolkit of the Congress," said BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan, according to NDTV. BJP leader RP Singh, meanwhile, accused Shama Mohamed of trying to bring appeasement politics into the game Calling the allegations "preposterous," former cricketer Atul Wassan said, "I agree that Sarfaraz Khan is not being given the kind of respect and chances he deserves. But it is not about what she (Mohamed) or Congress is alleging. This has never happened in Indian sport. Time and again, we get to hear this religion card." Sarfaraz, who is celebrating his 28th birthday on Wednesday, didn't find his name in the Indian squad for the two first-class games against South Africa A. While Sarfaraz, who has recently shed a lot of weight and looks leaner than ever, has every right to feel aggrieved, but if one looks at the decision from Ajit Agarkar and the Indian team management's perspective, it might not seem as controversial as the social media is making it out to be. It is understood that Pant, who is making a competitive comeback, will be batting at No.5 in both the games, which is normally his permanent slot in the Indian team too. "Sarfaraz should have a chat with the Mumbai team management and also with their senior-most player Ajinkya Rahane and, maybe, try out batting at No. 3 where he might have to play the new ball. If he keeps batting at No. 5 or 6, it won't help. India have more all-round options for those slots. "Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy... if all are fit and available (they) will occupy the middle-order, being multi-skilled players. When Pant is injured it will be Dhruv Jurel batting at No. 5 or 6," a former national selector privy to the developments told PTI. With batting slot Nos. 1, 2 and 4 now locked in the Test team and Nos. 5-8 belonging to multi-skilled players (including batters), the only place left is No.3 and, maybe, the gutsy Mumbai batter needs to take a leap of faith and try out a new slot. Two players, who got the nod ahead of Sarfaraz in the A team are Rajat Patidar, who didn't make an impression when he played three Tests against England in early 2024, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose talent many believe is unquestionable. With inputs from PTI For all the latest news and india news, visit Times Now to get live updates and breaking news around the world.
