Sarfaraz Khan Stays Committed to Domestic Cricket After India A Omission
Sarfaraz Khan's Focus on Domestic Performance
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan is determined to keep scoring runs in domestic cricket, despite 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 his country. "My job is to play cricket. And I will play," Sarfaraz stated after the first day of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Railways at Brabourne Stadium.
Recent History and Selection Insights
The 29-year-old last played for India in a Test match against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in 2024. Although he was called back for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in August as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan, he did not get a chance to play. Sarfaraz had hoped to be part of the India A squad for the three four-day matches against New Zealand, which are crucial for the senior team's preparation. "Of course, I have expectations whenever a team is announced," he remarked regarding his selection hopes. "But it's ultimately up to the selectors to decide. My focus remains on playing cricket."
Performance and Selector Perspectives
Sarfaraz mentioned that he had heard selectors were primarily considering him for matches in Indian conditions. "The selectors didn't communicate this directly, but during my recent stint with the Indian team, I gathered that they view me more favorably for Indian conditions," he explained. He questioned the notion that he is better suited for Indian pitches, citing his successful performances abroad with India A. "I scored runs in South Africa and England. It's challenging to perform on tough wickets after doing well in domestic cricket. But I have proven myself outside India too. This is their perspective; my job is to play cricket, and I will continue to do so."
Consistency and Training Regimen
Sarfaraz has accumulated 300 runs in seven first-class matches for India A outside India, averaging 50 with three half-centuries. He has been consistent for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, with scores of 1, 154, 40, and 55, raising his season average to 62.50. He acknowledged the difficulty of returning to domestic cricket each season but maintained his rigorous training routine that has helped him succeed. "Scoring runs every season is tough," he admitted. "I continue to follow the same training regimen I started with my father. I don't take breaks during the off-season; I practice and keep batting. I don't know how many runs I will score, but I remain committed to my routine."
Motivation and Fitness Journey
Sarfaraz credited his father for keeping him motivated during challenging times in his career, 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. Whenever I get a chance, I will seize it. I dislike being idle during the off-season. I believe I am meant for cricket, and I will participate in any opportunity that arises, whether it's the Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali, Vijay Hazare, IPL, or the Indian team," he expressed. He also shared that he lost 20 kg last year, reducing his weight from 97 kg to 77 kg to enhance his fitness. Sarfaraz clarified that this decision was personal and not a directive from the team management. "No one told me to lose weight; I made that choice based on feedback I received. I recognized that I was overweight, and I took action to improve my fitness."
Looking Ahead
Having made his Test debut in 2024 after excelling in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz is not dwelling on selection outcomes. "I'm not overthinking it; I just play whenever I get the chance," he concluded. "If they call me again, I will be ready to play. Otherwise, I will continue to perform in domestic cricket."