Religious Bias Allegations Emerge Over Sarfaraz Khan's Exclusion from Indian Cricket Team

Congress leader Shama Mohamed has ignited controversy by suggesting religious discrimination in the Indian cricket team selection after Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from recently announced squads. The 28-year-old middle-order batsman, who last represented India against New Zealand in a home series last year, was absent from recent selections due to an injury.

Despite being a formidable performer in domestic cricket, Khan was not included in the squads facing South Africa A later this month under Rishabh Pant's captaincy. Reports indicate that Pant's return contributed to Khan's omission. This selection decision has now entered the political arena.

Shama Mohamed, Congress spokesperson who previously faced backlash for commenting on former captain Rohit Sharma's physique, has now claimed that Khan was excluded because of his "surname," implying religious bias. "Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that matter," Mohamed stated.

The BJP strongly condemned these remarks, accusing Congress of attempting to divide the cricket team along religious lines. BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan told NDTV, "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."

Kesavan also reminded that Mohamed had previously made controversial comments about Rohit Sharma's weight.

Former cricketer Atul Wassan dismissed the allegations as "preposterous," stating, "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."

Previously, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who heads AIMIM, had also questioned Khan's exclusion from India A, sharing a news article about the cricketer and asking, "Why isn't Sarfaraz Khan selected even for India A?"

Speaking to NDTV, AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan supported Owaisi and Mohamed's concerns, questioning what more Khan needed to do to gain selection. "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 expressed.

The India A team is scheduled to play two four-day matches against South Africa A, beginning October 30 in Bengaluru. Rishabh Pant, recovering from a fractured foot sustained earlier this year, has been appointed as the India A captain.

Khan's supporters have expressed disappointment over his exclusion, particularly considering his performance in the first unofficial match for India A during the England tour earlier this year. Khan scored an impressive 92 in that match but was subsequently sidelined due to injury.

In his determination to regain his place in the team, Khan reportedly shed 17 kg to improve his fitness levels.

This isn't the first time Mohamed has sparked controversy with cricket-related comments. In March, she created uproar by describing Rohit Sharma as a "fat sportsman." Her post stated, "Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had," triggering widespread criticism.

The Congress party subsequently distanced itself from her remarks and instructed her to delete the post. Though Mohamed removed the content, she refused to apologize, claiming her comment was "generic" in nature and questioning how "in a democracy, we don't have the right to speak."