Colombo: Sarfaraz Khan is back in India’s Test squad after an absence of around one and a half years, giving the middle-order batter an opportunity to revive his international career ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Sarfaraz was recalled as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan, having last played a Test for India in 2024. His return has attracted considerable attention because of the uncertainty surrounding his prolonged absence from the national side and speculation about his relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has now urged Sarfaraz to put the past behind him and concentrate on making the most of his second opportunity with the Indian team.
Kaif welcomed the selection decision and said he would salute whoever within the Indian cricket setup pushed for Sarfaraz’s return.
Kaif backs Sarfaraz’s recall
Sarfaraz’s recall has generated a positive response from several former cricketers and analysts.
Kaif believes the decision could prove particularly useful in Sri Lanka, where spin-friendly conditions may make Sarfaraz’s ability against spin an important asset for India.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif praised the decision-makers for bringing Sarfaraz back into the squad.
He said he would salute whoever — whether the BCCI, selectors, coaching staff or captain — made the case for Sarfaraz’s inclusion.
The former batter suggested that Sarfaraz’s ability to play spin effectively could become an important factor during the Sri Lanka series.
The recall therefore gives Sarfaraz another opportunity to demonstrate why he was considered one of India’s most promising domestic batters before his international career stalled.
Sarfaraz urged to leave the past behind
While Kaif acknowledged the controversy surrounding Sarfaraz’s absence, his main message to the batter was to avoid dwelling on what happened previously.
He urged Sarfaraz to “forget whatever happened in the past” and focus instead on helping Indian cricket continue to progress.
The advice comes amid speculation that Sarfaraz’s omission from the Test side had contributed to rumours of tension between the batter and Gambhir-led team management.
Kaif’s argument is that whatever disagreements or selection decisions may have occurred previously should not become a distraction now that Sarfaraz has been given another opportunity.
For the batter, the priority will be to make the most of his recall and allow his performances to determine his place in the team.
Why was Sarfaraz out for so long?
Sarfaraz’s extended absence from the Indian Test team had been a subject of debate among fans and former players.
He remained an unused member of India’s squad during the 2024-25 tour of Australia before subsequently losing his place in the national setup.
The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar then left him out for roughly 18 months.
That decision surprised some observers because Sarfaraz had already demonstrated that he could perform at Test level.
He made his international debut against England in 2024 and immediately showed his ability to score runs. His early performances gave him a strong start to his Test career.
He also produced a memorable 150-run innings against New Zealand, reinforcing the view that he possessed the technique and temperament to succeed at the highest level.
However, opportunities became increasingly limited.
His omission from India’s Test squads and even from India A discussions generated questions about what had changed.
Kaif says lack of explanation fuelled rumours
Kaif acknowledged that the lack of clarity around Sarfaraz’s selection status contributed to speculation.
According to the former India batter, Sarfaraz was not given consistent opportunities and was eventually dropped without a clear public explanation.
His absence from discussions surrounding India A selections also added to the uncertainty.
Kaif said these developments naturally led fans and observers to ask why Sarfaraz was no longer being considered.
The lack of an official explanation allowed rumours to grow, including speculation surrounding Sarfaraz’s relationship with Gambhir.
However, there has been no definitive public explanation establishing that a personal dispute was responsible for Sarfaraz’s exclusion.
The selection process in international cricket can involve several factors, including team balance, conditions, competition for places and tactical requirements.
Sarfaraz’s previous Test performances
Sarfaraz’s case for a return is supported by his performances during his initial Test opportunities.
He made his Test debut against England and scored runs early in his international career.
His 150 against New Zealand was another important performance, particularly because it demonstrated his ability to produce a substantial innings against a high-quality international attack.
Those performances were part of the reason his prolonged absence subsequently generated debate.
The middle-order batter has also built a strong reputation through domestic cricket, where he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to score heavily.
His challenge now is to translate that domestic consistency and his earlier international success into another sustained run in the Indian Test side.
Return comes at an important moment
Sarfaraz’s recall comes at a time when India are preparing for a Test assignment in Sri Lanka.
Conditions in Sri Lanka can traditionally provide significant assistance to spin bowling, particularly as matches progress.
That makes a batter’s ability to play spin an important part of team selection.
Kaif believes this could have been one of the reasons Sarfaraz’s name returned to the selection discussion.
His compact batting style and experience against spin could provide India with another option in the middle order.
However, competition for places remains intense, meaning Sarfaraz is likely to need a strong performance if he receives an opportunity in the playing XI.
Injury opens the door for Sarfaraz
Sarfaraz’s return became possible after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out through injury.
The recall does not necessarily guarantee a place in India’s starting XI.
Instead, Sarfaraz has been brought into the squad as a replacement, leaving the team management to decide how the batting order should be structured for the Sri Lanka Tests.
For Sarfaraz, the situation nevertheless represents an important second chance.
He now has an opportunity to put the uncertainty of the previous 18 months behind him and demonstrate his value to the current Indian setup.
Working again under Gautam Gambhir
Sarfaraz’s return also means he will once again be part of a team coached by Gautam Gambhir.
The circumstances surrounding Sarfaraz’s omission had fuelled speculation about whether there was friction between the player and the coaching setup.
Kaif did not claim that such a conflict had been established. Instead, he highlighted how the absence of clear explanations created an environment in which rumours could flourish.
The most important development now is that Sarfaraz has been recalled.
If he and the team management can focus on the cricket, the previous speculation may gradually become less relevant.
The batter’s performances in Sri Lanka will ultimately provide the strongest indication of whether he can establish himself again.
A second chance for Sarfaraz
The recall gives Sarfaraz a chance to restart his Test career rather than simply return to the squad.
At 28, he still has considerable time to establish himself as a regular international batter.
His domestic record, ability against spin and previous Test performances provide reasons for optimism.
But competition for India’s middle-order places means he cannot assume that his return will become permanent.
His immediate objective will be straightforward: perform whenever the opportunity comes.
Kaif’s message reflects that approach. Instead of focusing on why Sarfaraz was left out previously, the batter must concentrate on what he can contribute now.
Conclusion
Sarfaraz Khan’s recall to India’s Test squad provides the Mumbai batter with an opportunity to rebuild an international career that appeared to have stalled after a promising start.
Mohammad Kaif has urged him to forget the past and focus on India’s future, while also backing the decision to bring him back for the Sri Lanka series.
Questions surrounding Sarfaraz’s prolonged absence and the speculation involving Gautam Gambhir may continue, but the immediate priority for the batter is cricket. If he can make the most of his opportunity in Sri Lanka, his performances could finally provide the answer to the questions that have surrounded his selection for so long.