Sarfaraz Khan Questions His Hard Work Amid Test Team Exclusion

Sarfaraz Khan's Frustration with National Selection

Mumbai: "Why should I put in the effort?" These were the words of Sarfaraz Khan, a middle-order batsman, expressing his disappointment on Monday after his enhanced fitness and consistent performances in domestic cricket did not earn him a spot in the Indian Test squad.

Sarfaraz's last match in the Indian whites was against New Zealand in 2024 at Wankhede Stadium.

"A lot has transpired. I try not to dwell on it. Each morning, I wake up and ponder, 'Why should I work hard?'" he shared with reporters following the first day of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Railways.

"My day starts at 5:00 AM... I have represented India. Even with a regular routine, I can play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, as I have been consistently scoring 30s, 50s, and hundreds," he added.

At 29, he credits his father, Naushad Khan, as his source of motivation during challenging times.

"Sometimes, I question myself, but when I see my father working hard, I think, 'Alright, I will go out there and score for him.' I maintain the same routine," he remarked.

"If you want to meet Sarfaraz Khan, you don’t need to visit my home; just find me at Azad Maidan or Cross Maidan at 6:00 AM," he noted.

Sarfaraz emphasized that he is concentrating on his cricket without looking too far ahead.

"I was unaware that I would receive a call for Sri Lanka. I was at the NCA when I got the call, but I didn’t get the chance. Now, I’m back playing for Mumbai. I don’t understand it anymore; I’m just playing," he explained.

"If the selectors call me, I will play for India. If not, I will continue here," he stated.

However, Sarfaraz made a surprising assertion that the Indian team seems to consider him only for home Test matches, despite not receiving clear communication regarding his role.

Having debuted in February 2024, he has played all six of his Test matches at home.

He was part of the Indian squad that recently toured Sri Lanka as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan but did not make it to the playing eleven. Previously, he was also included in the squad for the Australia tour but did not get a chance to play.

"No selector explicitly mentioned this, but during my time with the Indian team, I sensed they were looking at me primarily for Indian conditions," he said.

In the Ranji Trophy match against Railways, Sarfaraz scored 55 runs off 100 balls, expressing confusion over his exclusion from squads for overseas tours.

He highlighted his performance in intra-squad matches in South Africa and England to support his case.

"When I went to South Africa, I scored a hundred against the Indian team off 63 balls, and in England, I made a hundred off 76 balls," he pointed out.

Sarfaraz achieved a 63-ball century for India A against the senior Indian side in Pretoria ahead of the 2023-24 tour and a 76-ball century in Beckenham a year later, yet he was not selected for either senior tour.

"It’s not that I haven’t scored runs outside India. I have. It’s their perspective. My job is to play cricket," he remarked.

Despite his aggressive batting style, Sarfaraz's last four Test innings resulted in scores of 11, 9, 0, and 1 against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai in 2024, which ultimately led to his exclusion.

He noted the challenges of adapting to spin-friendly pitches after spending time abroad, which contributed to his struggles during that series.

"Returning to India to play on turning tracks is tough, especially after working hard in domestic cricket to earn a spot on the national team, but suddenly performing on such challenging wickets is difficult," he added.

Sarfaraz acknowledged the unwavering support of his father throughout his journey.

"Everyone knows I lack support in my life. The only person who has stood by me is my father. No one else has supported me," he stated.

"I have worked hard to fulfill my father's dream. Playing for India in this era is not easy. It’s not just about scoring once or twice in domestic cricket; I have made multiple 250s and 300s and have put in the effort to represent India. My father is my only support," he emphasized.

Sarfaraz expressed his desire to spend as much time on the field as possible.

"My sole motivation is to play cricket. I dislike sitting at home during the off-season. I want to play wherever I can, be it in the Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali Trophy, IPL, or for the Indian team," he said.

This burning passion has driven the Mumbai cricketer to focus on his fitness, resulting in a weight loss of 22 kilograms.

"No one advised me to lose weight. But based on what I heard on social media and from others, I decided to reduce my weight. I can’t do more than that," he explained.

"My weight was previously on the higher side. I had lost 10 kgs before, and now I’ve lost an additional 22 kgs. My footwork has improved significantly. I worked hard during the off-season," he added.

"I feel I used to play better when I was heavier," he joked before returning to a serious tone.

"I am scoring runs. Not every year is the same; there will be ups and downs, but as long as I’m not out of form, that’s what matters," he concluded.