Shama Mohamed makes communal allegation against Gambhir over Sarfaraz Khan’s omission: ‘Sarfaraz not selected because of his surname?’

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed has accused Gautam Gambhir of bringing politics into cricket, as she suggested that Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the India A squad could be a result of his being a Muslim. Not only Shama Mohamed but the social media users were equally stunned as Sarfaraz Khan’s name was missing from the India A squad for two red-ball matches against South Africa A at BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru from 30 October.

The 28-year-old Sarfaraz Khan, who made a successful debut at home against England in early 2024, last played for India in the third Test against New Zealand last year. He was not picked in a single Test match in Australia despite being a part of the squad and also missed out on the tour of England.

Also Read | Sarfaraz Khan’s curious omission: Bizarre reasons emerge for India A exclusion despite weight loss and stellar domestic form

Sarfaraz Khan was ruled out of the West Indies Test series in October due to fitness issues, but his recent exclusion, after passing a fitness test, has raised doubts over his international future. There’s a feeling that Sarfaraz Khan has slipped in the pecking order and the India A exclusion indicates that he is no more in the running for the Indian Test team.

Shama Mohamed makes communal allegations against Gambhir, Team India

Amid the growing confusion and uncertainty, Shama Mohamed has alleged that India coach Gautam Gambhir, who is a former MP from the ruling BJP party, is keeping Sarfaraz Khan out of the team due to his religion.

“Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname ! #justasking . We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter,” Shama Mohamed wrote on X.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) spokesperson Waris Pathan has also suggested that Sarfaraz Khan is being targeted by BCCI selectors for reasons other than cricket.

“When a man is averaging so much, there’s definitely more to it. Why hasn’t he been picked?” Waris Pathan asked on India Today.

Hitting back at Shama Mohamed, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused her of trying to divide the Indian cricket team on communal lines.

“This lady & her party is sick. After calling Rohit Sharma fat- she and her party want to divide even our cricket team on communal lines? Desh ka partition karke mann nahi bhara kya? In the same team MOHAMMAD SIRAJ AND KHALEEL AHMED will play ! Stop dividing India on communal lines, caste lines,” he wrote on X.

While the allegations may sound preposterous, it’s clear that BCCI selectors have dug themselves into a hole. Besides impressing against England, Sarfaraz Khan also slammed a century against New Zealand, and averages 117.47 in First-Class cricket in the last five years, scoring 2467 runs.