The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee has picked the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against the touring South Africa A side on Tuesday, October 21. The first unofficial four-day match will take place on October 30 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru, and the second match will begin on November 6 at the same venue.

Rishabh Pant will lead India A, marking his return to competitive cricket after a three-month injury layoff due to a fractured foot sustained during the Old Trafford Test against England in Manchester in July, while young batter Sai Sudharsan was appointed as vice-captain. KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna will be available for the second unofficial Test against South Africa A.

The upcoming two-match unofficial Tests against South Africa A are part of preparation for the two-match home Test series against the Proteas, which will begin on November 14, serving as a platform for fringe players and experienced stars to prove their form ahead of national selection.

No Place for Sarfaraz Khan in India A Squad

One of the biggest news from India's A squad announcement was the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan for the upcoming two unofficial four-day matches against South Africa A. Sarfaraz, who is currently part of the Mumbai team in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season, has been consistent performer in red-ball cricket over the last few years, and his exclusion has made even more surprising.

Sarfaraz missed out on the selection for the West Indies Test series as he was still recovering from a quadriceps injury he had sustained during the Buchi Babu Tournament, where he scored two centuries, and was left out of the Duleep Trophy. The 27-year-old recovered from his injury and played in the Ranji Trophy warm-up match against Maharashtra in Pune before returning to full domestic action.

Since Sarfaraz returned to action after recovering from a quadriceps injury, it was expected that he would be picked for the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against South Africa A. However, his name was missing from the list.

No Sarfaraz Khan in India A squad fr the 2 four-day matches vs South Africa A..scored 92 against England Lions & 100 not out in the intra-squad match fr India A vs England A!!India A squad for the 1st four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK),

- Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) October 21, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan's last India A appearance was in the first unofficial Test against England Lions at Canterbury, where he scored 92 runs in the first innings. Sarfaraz was picked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but did not get a single match and was then snubbed for the Test series against England.

Fans Question Selectors over Sarfaraz Khan's Exclusion

The non-selection of Sarfaraz Khan for India A's two unofficial Tests against South Africa A has raised eyebrows among fans, with many questioning the selectors' decision, given his consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts expressed their fury for ignoring Sarfaraz Khan for India A's unofficial Tests against South Africa, criticizing the selectors for clarity and rationale behind overlooking a proven performer in domestic cricket. Others pointed out that Sarfaraz lost weight to improve his fitness and make a strong case for his national recall, but his exclusion from the India A squad was all the more surprising.

Someone please make me understand what Sarfaraz Khan did wrong?-He scored 92 vs ENG in an unofficial match and then got injured.-Worked on his fitness and lost a lots of weight.-Made a comeback in Ranji, and scored some important runs there, he's not even in the India... twitter/qQdhSZgyDV

- Almus (@almusila) October 21, 2025

Poor call by selectors! Sarfaraz Khan, a proven Test batsman, was left out of Team A despite stellar domestic performances. His grit & consistency deserve a spot. He is continuously neglected by the selectors twitter/kdEdQwMGO5

- Saurabh (@MR_CricAnalyst) October 21, 2025

If anyone should feel letdown on being wrongly treated by Indian cricket, the selectors or the management, it's Sarfaraz Khan, man has done everything from scoring runs to getting back in shape, yet ain't even considered worthy of A games!!Keep piling on runs man!!

- Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) October 21, 2025

I am a little surprised with the continued absence of Sarfaraz Khan - even from the India A system now, not being named in the two India A Tests vs South Africa A

- Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 21, 2025

I certainly don't understand how Sarfaraz Khan can't even make it to the India 'A' squad! Earlier, people used to say fitness and all but what now? What more does he have to do to make a case for himself. Just bonkers! #INDAvsSA

- Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) October 21, 2025

Harshit Rana gets picked with barely any domestic record-just because he can swing a bat & please the right people. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan averages 65+ in FC and still gets ignored. Peak clownery. twitter/ImonBb0525

- Srinath Roychowdhury (@SrinathRoychow1) October 21, 2025

NO SARFARAZ KHAN FOR INDIA ASarfaraz khan has scored tons of hundred and runs in domestic cricket but bcci always sidelined him when it comes to Indian team he is a victim of ugly politics of bcci and Gautam Gambhir on bcci and coach GG twitter/gyQX7KghtH

- 93 (@93Yorker) October 21, 2025

No Sarfaraz Khan for India A? Cant understand

- Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) October 21, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan deserves to play for at least India A.

- Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) October 21, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan scored 92 for India A vs England Lions, then got injured. Came back fitter, lighter, made 74 in Ranji. Still no spot in the India A squad. Tough one to take. twitter/ls6gOJdaP6

- Soaib Akhtar (@SSA_807) October 21, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan lost 17 kgs of weight between June and July, yet he didn't get selected for India A. What's the compulsion?Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar have ended up ruining his career too. twitter/wVGqRpT9OC

- Mention Cricket (@MentionCricket) October 21, 2025

Wondering what is it that Sarfaraz Khan has done wrong. Did he pick somebody's pocket, or worse rob a bank. He has scored tons of runs in domestic cricket, but doesn't even figure in the India A team. BCCI needs to explain.

- Javed M Ansari (@javedmansari) October 21, 2025

Where is Sarfaraz Khan @BCCI @imAagarkar @GautamGambhir @ShubmanGill?

- SRT (@chinnu231) October 21, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan has an astounding record in first-class cricket, amassing 4791 runs, including 16 centuries and 13 fifties, at an average of 65.19 in 56 matches. Despite having a batting average of 65, the young batter could not find a place in the India A squad.

In his Test career, Sarfaraz has aggregated 371 runs, including a century and three fifties, at an average of 37.10 in six matches. His only century against New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, scoring 150 off 195 balls in the second innings.

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