• Source:JND
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Sarfaraz Khan dealt with another setback in his career as once again his consistent domestic form was suppressed against the charm and glitter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he faced a snub in India's tour of West Indies scheduled for next month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for India's two Tests and three ODIs on June 23. IPL performers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal were given maiden Test call-up while the former was also picked in India's ODI squad. Pacer Mukesh Kumar was also added to both squads for the Windies tour.

Jaiswal finished the IPL 2023 season as fifth highest run-getter with 625 runs powered with one century and five fifties while Gaikwad accumulated 590 runs with the help of four half-centuries in 16 games.

On the contrary, Sarfaraz got only four IPL matches for depleted Delhi Capitals in which he managed to score 4,30,10 and 9 runs respectively.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz has remained at his top form for Mumbai in the last three Ranji Trophy seasons as he hammered 2,566 runs combined. The right-handed batter scored 928 runs in the 2019/20 season, 982 in the 2021-22 and 556 in the 2022-23 season.

In 37 first-class games, he added 3,505 runs at an average of 79.65 with 13 centuries and nine fifties.

In recent years, the selection to the Indian side goes via the IPL route, not from Ranji Trophy performance. The elevation of India's T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav is the latest example to put things in the right perspective. His entry to the Indian side came from his lightning IPL form despite having the domestic records to back his case. In 79 first-class matches, he has scored 5,549 runs at an average of 44.75 including 14 centuries and 28 fifties.

However, Suryakumar maintained his form in India colours and became the mainstay of the limited-overs squad.

After missing out on the Windies tour, Sarfaraz should remain focused on scoring consistent runs for his side as he has a long way to go in his career.

The 25-year-old will be next seen in action in the domestic season 2023-24 opener -- Duleep Trophy from Wednesday, June 28. He has been picked in the West Zone squad along with Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav and Prithi Shaw among others.