Dropped Batsman Sends Reminder To Rohit Sharma And Gautam Gambhir With A Century In The Irani Cup, Released By Team India

 After being dropped from India's playing XI and released to participate in the Irani Cup, Sarfaraz Khan made a powerful statement with a remarkable century. The right-handed batsman completed his hundred just before the lunch break on the second day, sending a strong reminder to captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir of his undeniable talent and form. His brilliant innings underscored why he deserves another chance in India's Test squad.

Dropped Batsman Sends Reminder To Rohit Sharma And Gautam Gambhir With A Century In The Irani Cup, Released By Team India

Sarfaraz had been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, which led to his maiden call-up for the Indian team during the England Test series earlier in 2024. Making his debut in Rajkot, he played three Tests in that series, amassing 200 runs with an impressive average of 50. However, with KL Rahul’s return for the Bangladesh Test series, Sarfaraz found himself benched. Rahul, the former vice-captain, was given the nod to play both Tests, leaving Sarfaraz sidelined.

Despite his exclusion, Sarfaraz remained determined. Alongside teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal, who were also left out of the playing XI, he was named in the Irani Cup squads. Since they weren't needed for the national team, the BCCI released the trio to showcase their talents in the domestic tournament. Yash Dayal has already made his presence felt by picking up two wickets, while Dhruv Jurel is set to bat for the Rest of India team.

Meanwhile, veteran Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century on the second day. After Mumbai lost three early wickets, Rahane steadied the ship with a crucial 102-run partnership alongside Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a valuable 57 runs. Following Iyer’s dismissal, Rahane found support from Sarfaraz Khan, and together they added 131 runs for the fifth wicket. Unfortunately, Rahane was dismissed just three runs short of his century, falling for 97 off 234 balls. It was Yash Dayal who claimed the prized wicket of the Mumbai skipper.

Rahane’s near-century, while impressive, might not be enough to revive his international career. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has made it clear that they are looking to the future, opting not to recall either Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara, even when their experience could have been useful against England. Instead, the committee has placed its trust in the younger generation, signaling that Rahane’s time at the international level may be drawing to a close.

For Sarfaraz Khan, however, his performance in the Irani Cup serves as a timely reminder of his abilities and a clear message that he still has much to offer on the biggest stage. Whether the selectors heed that message remains to be seen, but his determination and hunger for success are undeniable.