The 26-year-old middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan made an impression with his international debut against England during the home test series. That is where he shined to prominence scoring back-to-back half-centuries in Rajkot. Also, followed by another half-century in Dharamshala that carved his name. Ever since that time, the young Mumbaikar cricketer has not played any competitive matches.
Opportunity Utilized to the most: Sarfaraz Khan during Home Test Series
Undoubtedly, Sarfaraz Khan has utilized the opportunity given to him for the home test series, and he made the most & best out of it against England. After he was included in the squad as a replacement for Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz proved himself with his stupendous back-to-back 50s on his international debut that turned everyone’s eyes onto him.
However, after he scored a 60-ball-56 runs in the 5th and final test match against England in Dharamsala, Sarfaraz Khan has not played any other form of competitive cricket since March 2024. It has been more than 5 months since the time of his last appearance. At present, this Mumbai cricketer has Zero expectations regarding the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh which is scheduled to begin from next month onwards i.e., 19th September 2024.
Sarfaraz Khan Focused on Buchi Babu Tournament 2024
One of the main reasons to have no expectations is being focused on only one thing and the 26-year-old cricketer is doing that. Currently, he is just focusing on the present task at hand to represent team Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Tournament 2024. Undoubtedly, Sarfaraz Khan is one of those rare players who is making the best out of his opportunities in domestic cricket.
“Yes! You heard it right… I am not at all viewing the upcoming Bangladesh series but at the same time, I will have to follow all the processes and be ready for it. In Mumbai, I never had this level of practice because of the rains. And, I don’t like practicing indoors it is because just facing the bowling machine and the ball comes easily to the bat for a shot. For me, I feel that is not the way to practice because outside challenges are never so easy, and I want to challenge myself to a tougher extent. And, when I push myself to that extent, only then I will be able to improve my cricketing.”
“ZERO Expectations! But I am Ready”: Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan was one of those youngsters in the group who delivered a match-winning performance during the England tests. Although Sarfaraz was the replacement for Shreyas Iyer during the England series, it might not be the same in the upcoming Bangladesh series.
For the Bangladesh series, Sarfaraz’s positioning in the team seems tougher with his fitness issues as well as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul likely returning to their middle-order batting.
Here is what Sarfaraz Khan stated about the upcoming opportunity:
“Yes! I have NO or ZERO expectations but at the same time, I will be ready if the opportunity comes up. And, that is what I have been doing so far, and I probably wouldn’t change that for any other reasons.”
Following the T20 World Cup 2024, the white-ball tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have been completed successfully, so the Indian team is on a long break. The team is said to be on the field again for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh which is scheduled to begin on 19th September in Chennai. Hence, after that, the 3 T20Is against Bangladesh will be played before New Zealand three-Test series.
Sarfaraz follows the Fitness Plan made by his Father
Recently, Sarfaraz Khan said that his father had specially prepared a fitness plan for him and the batsman regularly follows it.
Sarfaraz said “Yes! It was my father Nausahd who planned a place for me, and after I complete running I will have to go to the gym and follow my energy-boosting workouts. The batting practice sessions were planned during the evening and I kept practicing hard. For me, there is nothing different like off-season because I would always wake up early to start my day with a long-distance running.”
Conclusion
Firstly, Sarfaraz’s fitness has to be improved. He is already working hard by not choosing a bowling machine and practicing on the ground. He has been pushing himself hard towards getting a better version of himself, and currently, he is focusing only on the Buchi Babu Tournament 2024, representing the Mumbai team. Although he doesn’t have any expectations, regular cricket spectators are keen about knowing his position in the Indian squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.