Cricket Selection Controversy: Politics, Surnames, and Social Media Reactions

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed sparked controversy by questioning whether Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the India A cricket squad was due to his surname. Her comments led to backlash from BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla and highlighted prior criticisms against Rohit Sharma. Social media erupted, questioning Khan's exclusion despite his performance.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed ignited a heated debate on Wednesday by questioning whether Sarfaraz Khan's omission from the India A cricket squad was linked to his surname. Her remarks drew significant backlash from BJP representatives, adding to previous contention around her comments involving cricket icons.

This incident follows Mohamed's earlier controversial remarks in March when she criticized former Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma for his weight, which led to a reprimand and social media post removal. Her latest comments also seemed to target the stance of Indian team coach Gautam Gambhir on selection issues.

The cricket community and fans have expressed outrage, particularly on social media, over 28-year-old Khan's exclusion, as he has shown considerable promise in domestic circuits. This situation has unraveled with strong political undertones, prompting debates over fairness and merit in sports selections.

(With inputs from agencies.)