Congress leader Shama Mohamed has raised allegations of religious bias in the selection process of the Indian cricket team, pointing to the exclusion of middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan from recently announced squads. The 28-year-old cricketer, who last represented India against New Zealand in a home series last year, was not included in the squads for matches against Australia A last month due to an injury.
A dominant force in domestic cricket, Khan was also left out of the India A team set to face South Africa A later this month, led by captain Rishabh Pant. Reports indicate that Pant’s return to the squad may have contributed to Khan’s omission.
Khan’s exclusion has sparked political controversy, with Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed questioning whether his “surname”, hinting at his religious identity, played a role in the decision. “Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter,” Mohamed stated.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticised the Congress, accusing it of attempting to divide the Indian cricket team along religious lines. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan, speaking to national media, condemned the remarks, saying, “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.”
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Kesavan also recalled a previous incident where Mohamed had fat-shamed former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, after which the Congress directed her to delete the post, leaving the party embarrassed.
Former cricketer Atul Wassan dismissed the allegations of religious bias as “preposterous”, while acknowledging Khan’s struggles for recognition. “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,” Wassan said.
The controversy was further fuelled by Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who, a day earlier, questioned Khan’s exclusion from the India A team. Sharing a news article about the cricketer, Owaisi asked, “Why isn’t Sarfaraz Khan selected even for India A?”
AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan echoed Owaisi and Mohamed’s concerns, questioning what more Khan needs to do to earn a spot in the team.
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“Sarfaraz Khan’s average is 110 in first-class cricket over the last five years. He is fit. He has lost 17 kg in weight. He has scored against New Zealand and England but is deemed worthy for selection. What else must he do to get the selectorial nod? You can’t play with the career of a young talent. He played and scored for the country. Why did you leave him in a tunnel without any light at the end? This is merely our question because his name is Sarfaraz Khan?” Pathan said.
The India A team is scheduled to play two four-day matches against South Africa A, starting October 30 in Bengaluru, with Rishabh Pant, who is recovering from a fractured foot sustained earlier this year, named as captain.
Khan’s exclusion has disappointed his fans, particularly given his strong performance in the first unofficial match for India A during the England tour earlier this year, where he scored 92. However, an injury forced him out of the team. Determined to make a comeback, Khan reportedly lost 17 kg and significantly improved his fitness.
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