Exclusion of Muslim players reignites bias debate in Indian cricket

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A growing uproar over the exclusion of Muslim cricketers from India’s national and feeder squads has ignited a broader debate on whether religion now shapes opportunity in the country’s most celebrated sport.

The controversy flared after Sarfaraz Khan, one of India’s most prolific domestic batters, was once again omitted from the India A team set to face South Africa A. His absence, despite years of top-tier performance, has been seized upon by political leaders and civil-society voices as evidence of bias creeping into Indian cricket’s selection process.

Asaduddin Owaisi, parliamentarian and president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), demanded answers: “Why isn’t Sarfaraz Khan selected even for India A?” 

Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hasan went further, calling the selection process “deeply suspect.” He said, “The way players are selected for Indian teams raises suspicions that being Muslim influences selection. Sports are for the country, not for any religion or community.”

Hasan added that Muslims in India “have faced targeted discrimination for the last decade,” warning that the same mindset is now spilling into sport.

The Congress Party also joined the criticism. National spokesperson Dr Shama Mohammed wrote on social media, “Was Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname? We know where Gautam Gambhir (head coach) stands on this issue.” She pointed out that Sarfaraz has transformed his fitness and still maintains “a first-class average of 110.47 over the last five years,” yet continues to be ignored.

AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan echoed that view, asking, “Why stop a young talent who is rapidly making his mark? It was initially said that he was unfit, but Sarfaraz worked hard to improve his fitness. His average is good and he performs well. Why was he still not selected?”

The debate has widened beyond Sarfaraz. Earlier this month, champion fast bowler Mohammed Shami said he too was dropped without explanation from a recent international tour. “No one asked me about my fitness. It’s the selectors’ job to ask a player,” he said. 

“I’ve been playing regularly — Champions Trophy, IPL, domestic matches. I still don’t get why I’m not fit to play for India.”

While politicians and activists see a pattern of bias, some senior journalists reject the communal framing. Rajdeep Sardesai — a prominent news anchor and son of former India Test cricketer Dilip Sardesai — said, “Totally ridiculous to suggest that Sarfaraz Khan is being kept out of the Indian team because of his religion. Yes, he surely deserved a chance in the India A team, but let’s not bring these toxic communal dog whistles onto the cricket pitch.”

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde disagreed, saying, “If you do not belong to a privileged group, you have to be twice as good to be considered half as worthy.” 

Sports journalist Vikrant Gupta added, “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.”

Analysts say such omissions expose how cricket — once celebrated as India’s most unifying arena — is increasingly reflecting the ideological polarization of the country. For many, the question is no longer about one player’s selection, but about a shifting ethos that measures belonging along communal lines.

Sarfaraz’s journey symbolizes that contradiction. At 12 he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s school record with a 439-run knock, later played two Under-19 World Cups, and made a brilliant Test debut against England in 2024, scoring 62 and 68 not out. Yet his path back into the national setup remains blocked.

Supporters argue that until the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) publishes clear performance-based criteria, questions of bias will persist.