Sarfaraz Khan Remains Committed to Domestic Cricket Amid India A Omission

Sarfaraz Khan, the Mumbai batter, is determined to excel in domestic cricket despite not being selected for the India A squad against New Zealand. He emphasizes his commitment to the game and his readiness to seize any opportunity that arises. With impressive performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Sarfaraz reflects on the challenges of maintaining consistency and the importance of his training routine. He also shares insights into his fitness journey, having lost significant weight to enhance his performance. As he navigates the ups and downs of selection, Sarfaraz remains focused on his passion for cricket and his desire to contribute to the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 2, 2026, 23:55 IST

Sarfaraz Khan's Focus on Domestic Performance

Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan is determined to keep scoring runs in domestic cricket, even after not being selected for the India A team for the upcoming series against New Zealand. He emphasized that his primary responsibility is to continue playing and await another chance to represent the national team.

After the first day of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Railways at the Brabourne Stadium, Sarfaraz stated, "My job is to play cricket. And I will play," as reported by a sports news outlet.

The 29-year-old last played for India in a Test match against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in 2024. Although he was called up for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in August as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan, he did not get to play.

Sarfaraz had hoped to be part of the India A squad for the three four-day matches against New Zealand, which are intended to prepare the senior team for their upcoming Test series. However, he was not included.

When asked about his expectations for selection, he remarked, "Obviously, I have expectations whenever a team is announced. But it’s ultimately up to the selectors to decide. My job is to play cricket."

He mentioned that he had heard the selectors were primarily considering him for matches in Indian conditions.

Sarfaraz questioned the notion that he is better suited for Indian pitches, citing his successful performances in overseas conditions for India A. He stated, "I scored runs in South Africa and England. Just because I perform well in domestic cricket doesn’t mean I can’t handle tougher conditions abroad."

He has accumulated 300 runs in seven first-class matches for India A outside India, averaging 50 with three half-centuries.

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he has been a key player for Mumbai, scoring 1, 154, and 40 in his first three innings, followed by 55 against Railways, raising his season average to 62.50.

Sarfaraz acknowledged the challenges of consistently performing in domestic cricket but maintained that he follows the same training regimen that has helped him succeed.

"Scoring runs every season is tough," he admitted. "I continue to practice and bat regularly, just as I did when I started my career with my father. I don’t take breaks during the off-season."

He also credited his father for keeping him motivated during challenging times, stating that his passion for cricket remains strong even after achieving his childhood dream of playing for India.

"My motivation is simply to play cricket. I don’t like to sit idle during the off-season. I feel I’m meant for cricket, and I will seize every opportunity that comes my way," he expressed.

Sarfaraz revealed that he lost 20 kg last year, dropping from 97 kg to 77 kg, to enhance his fitness, a decision he made independently without pressure from the team management.

"No one told me to lose weight. I made the decision based on what I heard from others and social media. I realized I was overweight, and I needed to address that," he explained.

Having made his Test debut in 2024 after excelling in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz is not dwelling on selection outcomes and is focused on maximizing every opportunity.

"I’m not overthinking it; I’m just playing wherever I can. If they call me again, I’ll be ready to play. Otherwise, I’ll continue my journey in domestic cricket," he concluded.