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Sarfaraz Khan doesn't need India A game to play international cricket: Shardul Thakur

Meta Description: Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur strongly backed Sarfaraz Khan following his India A snub, asserting that the consistent domestic performer can make a direct return to the Indian Test squad by scoring big runs in the Ranji Trophy. Read his full comments on Sarfaraz's readiness for international cricket.

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Former Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has backed his state mate Sarfaraz Khan amid his non-selection in the India A squad for the forthcoming two-match four-day series against South Africa A.

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Speaking to the media, Thakur asserted that Sarfaraz doesn’t need India A games to play international cricket, but he can straightaway make it to the Indian Test team, courtesy of his good form.

"Nowadays, for the India A side, they look at boys, who they want to prepare for international cricket. Sarfaraz doesn't need India A game to play international cricket. If he gets back to scoring again, he can straight away go and play Test series also," Mumbai captain Thakur told the media.

While Sarfaraz was part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he didn’t manage to get a chance in all five Tests. Later, he was axed for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy without a valid reason. Interestingly, he went on to score 92 against England Lions in a pre-tour game. However, he was later dropped from the India A squads as well.

"He is coming from injury lay-off. But before that, he scored two-three centuries in the Buchi Babu Trophy before getting injured. Coming back against J&K in the previous match, he had a nice 42. It was very unfortunate to have been run out. But for him, I don't think playing India A is important," Thakur added.

"He is a senior pro and whenever we put him in there in the 22 yards, he is someone who always delivers in crunch situations. He has big scores of 200-250s and those innings have come when the team was two or three down quite early in the innings. To play that kind of innings under pressure, you have to have something special in you." "He is one of the special players who never disappoints to perform and put up big scores. He has done it for years and years. Regardless of which number he bats, I think he will deliver," he concluded.

Mumbai will next lock horns with Chhattisgarh for their first home game of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season.

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