Mumbai middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has been omitted from the India A squad for the upcoming four-day matches against South Africa A. Sarfaraz, a prolific domestic run-scorer who had performed well in first-class cricket and with the senior Indian Test team under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, has now been snubbed even from the unofficial Test tour games, raising eyebrows and fueling selection controversy among Indian cricket fans and experts.

Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of the India A team for the upcoming series against South Africa. Sarfaraz, who had performed well with the Indian Test team under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, has now been excluded even from the tour games, raising eyebrows among cricket fans.

The exclusion of Sarfaraz surprised many, as the Mumbai batter has been in decent form in his recent outings. In his last two first-class matches, he scored 92 against England Lions and 42 and 32 against Jammu & Kashmir, performances that many believed should have earned him a spot in the India A squad.

Sarfaraz was earlier dropped from the Indian Test side after a disappointing home series against New Zealand. Despite a brilliant 150 in the opening Test in Bengaluru, he struggled in the remainder of the series, leading to his omission from the team.

Selection Committee Explains Sarfaraz Snub

Ajit Agarkar, BCCI chief of the national selection committee, explained the earlier Test omission ahead of the England tour, noting that Karun Nair had overtaken Sarfaraz after a strong Ranji Trophy season.

After Nair’s brief tenure ended post-England series, cricket fans expected Sarfaraz Khan’s Test return, but a national team call-back never materialized. Agarkar also cited a quadriceps injury, stating the Mumbai batter was not in contention for selection due to fitness issues.

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Despite playing in the first round of the Ranji Trophy season, Sarfaraz Khan was not included in the India A squad announced for the upcoming South Africa series.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant returned to first-class red-ball cricket after a long injury layoff and will captain the India A side. The South Africa National Cricket Team will tour India in November for a two-match Test series, and ahead of that, they will play two crucial warm-up games against the India A team as part of their pre-series preparations.

India A squad for the 1st four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N. Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

India A squad for the 2nd four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

India A squads for two four-day matches against South Africa A have been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rishabh Pant, who has been on a long injury break, will lead the side in both the matches. Names such as Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar have been included in both squads and provide a good core to the series.

The selectors have selected some players for both games, while others are distinct in each game. It is an effort to help young players gain experience in the first game while providing older Test players with an opportunity to play in the second game. The first game is scheduled to begin on October 30, while the second game will start on November 6. Both games will be hosted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The team will also serve as a launching ground for new players to demonstrate their talent against stiff competition. By combining young blood with experience, India A is trying to offer competitive cricket while giving selectors an opportunity to evaluate players for future international games.

Young Talent and Test Stars in Focus

For the first unofficial Test, 18-year-old Mumbai opener Ayush Mhatre has been included. Ayush Badoni, who was part of India A during the Australia series, has retained his place, while Rajat Patidar will play only in the first game. N Jagadeesan is the second wicketkeeper, with Anshul Kamboj and Yash Thakur leading the pace attack. Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has been drafted in after taking six wickets against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 opener.

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The second four-day game will feature experienced Test players such as KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Mohammed Siraj. Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the squad after his impressive performance against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy. The pace attack for this match will include Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Khaleel Ahmed, giving India A a strong and balanced side for the second encounter.

India A Squads for South Africa A Series

1st Four-Day Match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N. Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

2nd Four-Day Match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.