The Ranji Trophy 2025 season kicked off with a jaw-dropping administrative error that left fans and players scratching their heads: the BCCI mistakenly recorded Sarfaraz Khan as out for a duck—when it was actually his younger brother, Musheer Khan, who got dismissed. The mix-up, spotted almost instantly by sharp-eyed followers on social media, sparked confusion, memes, and serious questions about quality control in India’s premier domestic cricket tournament.
During Mumbai’s opening Ranji Trophy match, Musheer Khan—just 18 and making his debut in the tournament—was clean bowled early in the innings for a golden duck. But when the official BCCI scorecard went live on its website and app, it listed Sarfaraz Khan, the seasoned star who’s been knocking on the national team’s door for years, as the one dismissed for zero.
Within minutes, fans flooded Twitter and Instagram with screenshots. “Sarfaraz out for 0? That can’t be right—he hasn’t even batted yet!” one user posted. Others joked, “BCCI thinks they’re twins from a distance.”
The error was corrected roughly 45 minutes later, but not before the false stat had been shared widely across fantasy cricket platforms and live blogs.
While both hail from the same cricket-loving family in Palghar, Maharashtra, their paths couldn’t be more distinct:
| Attribute | Sarfaraz Khan | Musheer Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 27 | 18 |
| Ranji Debut | 2014 (for Mumbai) | 2025 (for Mumbai) |
| First-Class Runs | 5,800+ @ avg. 72.5 | 0 (on debut) |
| International Caps | Test debut vs England (2024) | None |
Given Sarfaraz’s reputation as one of India’s most consistent domestic run-scorers—and his recent Test call-up—the error was especially glaring.
As of press time, the BCCI has not issued a formal statement. However, sources within the board admitted it was a “clerical oversight” during live data entry. “The scorer confused the names because both were in the XI and share the same last name,” an anonymous official told Times of India.
Critics argue this reflects a deeper issue: despite investing millions in digital infrastructure, the board still relies on manual inputs prone to human error—especially in high-pressure, fast-paced environments like live scoring.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag quipped on X (formerly Twitter): “Even my autocorrect knows Sarfaraz isn’t out for 0!”
Meanwhile, fantasy cricket managers weren’t laughing. Many had picked Sarfaraz as a “safe bet” and saw their points vanish—temporarily—due to the glitch. “This is why we need verified real-time APIs, not interns typing names,” said one frustrated user.
This isn’t the first time the BCCI has faced embarrassment over data errors—but in the age of AI, automation, and global scrutiny, such blunders are increasingly unacceptable. With the Ranji Trophy serving as the pipeline for future Indian stars, accuracy in record-keeping isn’t just about stats—it’s about legacy.
For now, Sarfaraz Khan is batting on, runs flowing as usual. And Musheer? He’ll have to wait for his next innings to make his real mark—hopefully without anyone stealing his dismissal.
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