“I have no answer” - Ravi Ashwin questions selectors on excluding Sarfaraz Khan for England tour

Former Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin has opened up on Sarfaraz Khan’s omission from the England tour, starting on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. Notably, the Indian selection committee opted not to pick Sarfaraz, who is coming fresh from an injury break.

However, Sarfaraz is part of the England Lions tour, starting on Friday, May 30. India A will take on England Lions in a two-match unofficial Test tour. Ashwin feels someone from the leadership team should talk with Sarfaraz and make him understand the reason behind his exclusion.

"When the Indian team gets selected now, it is not pleasant anymore. Nowadays, people are almost always angry over someone not getting selected. Look, Sarfaraz Khan has scored a lot of runs already, but Karun Nair's selection cannot be questioned. But if you ask me what Sarfaraz did wrong? I have no answer. I really hope someone has had a talk with Sarfaraz, there should be a call from the leadership or the management. He should be given reasoning and the way he can get back into the team," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

While Sarfaraz made his Test debut in the England series in February 2025, he was later included in India’s squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, he didn’t get a chance in the XI in any of the five games.

"What will Sarfaraz Khan think now? What can he look forward to next? He'll go back to first-class cricket and score 1000 runs, but what after that? I think it is very hard on Sarfaraz Khan, but at the same time, I am very happy for Karun Nair," Ashwin added.

Moreover, Ashwin also stressed Team India’s competition in the shortest format of the game. There are a lot of players doing well in the IPL and would be aiming to find a spot in the Indian T20I side. Ashwin feels there is a lot of batting talent for Team India in T20Is.

"There is so much competition in that T20I side. Just look at the opening slot, who will you play? Priyansh Arya has put his name in the ring, then there is Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Maybe Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre are a little distance away from the T20 column. I forgot Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, so the batting talent is there in abundance," Ashwin stated.

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