Is BJP's Response Justified Against Shama Mohamed's Remarks on Sarfaraz's Exclusion?
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Synopsis
A political uproar has ensued as Shama Mohamed accuses Gautam Gambhir of bias in Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the India 'A' team. BJP responds fiercely, calling out communal divisions. This controversy raises questions about integrity in sports selections and the role of politics in cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Political controversy surrounds Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion.
- BJP accuses Congress of communal divisiveness.
- Sarfaraz Khan has an impressive domestic cricket record.
- Gautam Gambhir's coaching decisions are under scrutiny.
- Sports selections should prioritize talent over personal biases.
New Delhi, Oct 22 (NationPress) A political tempest erupted on Wednesday when Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed accused India head coach Gautam Gambhir of religious bias in the selection process for the India 'A' team, following the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan.
On Tuesday, the BCCI selection committee announced the 15-member India A squad for two first-class matches against South Africa A, in which Sarfaraz was left out. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited injury concerns as the reason for Sarfaraz's absence.
Shama criticized coach Gambhir, questioning whether Sarfaraz's surname played a role in his non-selection. "Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname! #justasking. We know where Gautam Gambhir stands on that issue," she posted on X.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla quickly countered Shama's comment, accusing the Congress party of attempting to divide the nation along communal lines.
“This lady and her party are sick. After calling Rohit Sharma fat, they now want to split our cricket team on communal lines? Isn’t the partition of the country enough for them? In the same team, Mohammad Siraj and Khaleel Ahmed will play! Stop dividing India based on religion and caste,” Poonawalla tweeted.
Shama previously faced criticism for labeling former Indian captain Rohit Sharma as a "fat sportsperson" and the "most unimpressive captain" during the Champions Trophy in March.
Sarfaraz last appeared for India 'A' against the England Lions in Canterbury, where he showcased his talent with an impressive score of 92. Over the past five years, the 27-year-old has been a standout performer in domestic cricket, averaging 110.47 in first-class matches, with five fifties and ten hundreds, totaling 2,541 runs.
His most recent appearance for India was in November of the previous year during a three-Test series against New Zealand, where he scored a century. He was the third-highest run-scorer (171 runs) in that series, behind Rishabh Pant (261) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (190).
Across six Tests, Sarfaraz has accumulated 371 runs at an average nearing 40, including a remarkable 150 against New Zealand last year.
Point of View
It's crucial to emphasize that while political opinions are valid, they must not overshadow the sporting spirit. Both the cricket team and the nation deserve a unified approach, where talent is prioritized over communal narratives.
NationPress
22/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the controversy over Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the India 'A' team?
Shama Mohamed accused Gautam Gambhir of religious bias after Sarfaraz Khan was left out, questioning if his surname influenced the decision.
How did the BJP respond to Shama Mohamed's comments?
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned her remarks, accusing the Congress of trying to divide the nation along communal lines.
What has Sarfaraz Khan's performance been like in domestic cricket?
Sarfaraz Khan has been a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, averaging 110.47 over the last five years with numerous fifties and centuries.
When did Sarfaraz Khan last represent India?
Sarfaraz last played for India in November last year during a Test series against New Zealand, scoring a century.
What is the significance of this controversy in the context of Indian cricket?
This controversy highlights the intersection of politics and sports, raising concerns about how personal biases can affect team selections in cricket.
