Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has strongly questioned the national selectors for overlooking prolific domestic performers Aqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan, arguing that such decisions risk undermining the importance of India's domestic cricket structure.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event, Azharuddin expressed disappointment that consistent performers in the domestic circuit are not being rewarded with opportunities in the Indian Test side despite repeated calls for players to prove themselves in first-class cricket.
"I feel very sad for Aqib Nabi. Aqib Nabi, after taking almost 60 wickets this year and around 50 wickets last year, still doesn't find a place in the Test team. It is very disappointing and surprising," Azharuddin told PTI.
The former India skipper questioned the messaging being sent to aspiring cricketers when sustained domestic excellence fails to translate into national selection.
"Everybody says players have to perform in domestic cricket. But what is the use of playing domestic cricket if those performances are not being recognised? These boys have consistently done well over the last two seasons, but they are not being rewarded," he added.
Azharuddin Backs Aqib Nabi's Test Credentials
Azharuddin reserved special praise for Jammu & Kashmir pacer Aqib Nabi, who has emerged as one of the most consistent performers in India's domestic circuit over the past two seasons.
The former batter believes Nabi possesses the qualities required to succeed in the longest format and should be viewed as a specialist red-ball bowler rather than through the lens of T20 cricket.
"Aqib Nabi is a great Test-match bowler. He is a very good exponent of swing bowling. People need to understand and recognise that he is good for Test cricket, so you make him play Test cricket," Azharuddin said.
He further argued that the selectors should not judge players solely on their performances in white-ball competitions or franchise leagues.
"Maybe he is not a great T20 bowler, but when you are playing for India in Test cricket, it is a totally different challenge. Fine, he is playing IPL, but that is a different story altogether," he remarked.
Sarfaraz Khan's Treatment Leaves Azharuddin Disappointed
Azharuddin was equally critical of the way Sarfaraz Khan's international career has been handled despite the Mumbai batter making an immediate impact when opportunities came his way.
The former India captain pointed out that Sarfaraz scored a century after getting his chance following the New Zealand series but was not given a consistent run thereafter.
"He was given a chance after the New Zealand series. He scored a hundred in that game, but after that you need to give consistent chances. If you don't give chances, it becomes very difficult," Azharuddin said.
Drawing comparisons with other players who have been backed despite periods of inconsistency, Azharuddin questioned why Sarfaraz was not afforded a similar level of patience.
"In England, you gave a lot of chances to Karun Nair after his comeback. Sarfaraz has already been part of the team and has performed. Yet he was not given opportunities in Australia and he was not given chances in England either. What does that mean? What does that augur?" he asked.
'Selectors Need to Look Into This'
Azharuddin believes the current selection approach risks discouraging domestic cricketers who spend years performing consistently in first-class cricket with the hope of earning an India cap.
"The selectors need to look into these performances because I am very disappointed with the non-inclusion of Aqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan. They deserve a lot more chances," he said.
With India's domestic structure widely regarded as one of the strongest in world cricket, Azharuddin's comments reignite the debate around whether sustained first-class excellence is being adequately rewarded at the highest level.
For the former captain, the issue is simple: if domestic performances are not recognised, players will inevitably begin questioning the value of the pathway that Indian cricket continues to champion.
