Indian batting sensation Sarfaraz Khan said he wept after being ignored for the first two Test matches against Australia despite having a first-class batting average second only to Sir Donald Bradman.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 25-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers in the local Ranji Trophy competition this season, scoring 431 runs in five games for Mumbai so far.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Last summer, Sarfaraz amassed 982 runs in six games at an average of 122.75, including four centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In 36 first-class games so far, the middle-order batsman has accumulated 3,380 runs at an average of 80.47.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Only late Australian great Bradman (95.14) boasts a higher first-class average among batsmen who have played at least 50 innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When the team was announced and my name wasn't there, I was sad the whole day, when we travelled from Guwahati to Delhi, I was feeling very lonely. I cried too," he was quoted as saying by the Times of India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sarfaraz then called up his father Naushad Khan, a coach, for help during the low phase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I called my dad to Delhi. He spoke to me, I practised with him, and then felt better."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Indian selectors announced a 17-member squad on Friday for the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia at home beginning on February 9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Explosive batsman Suryakumar Yadav won a maiden Test call-up while Ishan Kishan, another white-ball specialist, was also named in the side with first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant recovering after a car accident.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was left out over fitness concerns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I'm sure they (selectors) had certain plans in mind when they picked the team for the first two Tests," said Sarfaraz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Since it's not in my hands, I don't want to think too much about it, otherwise I'll go into depression."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sarfaraz also dismissed suggestions that he was left out because of his bulky frame and fitness issues.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"...I am very fit. Everyone has a different body structure, you can't change it. I've cleared all the yo-yo tests (mandatory fitness test) in the past."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle said the Test exclusion must be tough on Sarfaraz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Very hard on Sarfaraz Khan who has literally broken the door down in first class cricket. You can't do more than he has," he said on Twitter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh also tweeted in support of Sarfaraz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Spare a thought for Sarfaraz Khan. I don't understand what else he needs to do to get into the Test team," he wrote.<\/p>\r\n\r\n