India vs Bangladesh Test series – Sarfaraz Khan Test Snub: The announcement of Team India squad for Bangladesh Test series in December 2022 did not deter ace Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan’s hopes of a national team call-up someday. It only raised his hunger to score runs for his domestic side on a consistent basis. Follow India cricket team Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Already coming from a prolific run in the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season where he accumulated 982 runs at a staggering average of 122.75, Khan was hoping for an outside chance for a maiden call-up to the Team India Test squad, if not the playing XI. But as it is, things didn’t turn out in his favour
“I’ve told him that when we started playing cricket, it was for the love of the game. We need to maintain that which is in our control. Even though it is difficult to motivate. This is all that we can do,” his father told InsideSport.
India vs Bangladesh Test series: Father Naushad Khan BREAKS SILENCE after Sarfaraz Khan Test snub, says ‘We can only control the controllables’ – Check DETAILS
💯 for Sarfaraz Khan! 🙌 🙌
What a stunning knock this has been by the right-hander! 👏 👏
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/u3koKzDR7B#IraniCup | #SAUvROI | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/O2XeAZ91RV
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) October 1, 2022
And the 25-year-old obliged. He went on to score an unbeaten 36 off 31 deliveries to guide Mumbai to three-wicket victory over Himachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 final. His father and coach Naushad Khan, however, continues to be his backbone in these situations. He has advised Sarfaraz to control the controllables and maintain his love for the game.
- Sarfaraz Khan had a brilliant first-class season in 2022.
- He accumulated 1380 runs at an average of 106.15.
- His six centuries are the most by an Indian in first-class cricket this calendar year.
- The Mumbai batter is the first player to score over 900 runs in two consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons.
- The 25-year-old achieved the fourth highest of 133.85 in any Ranji season.
- He averaged 173 against spinners in Ranji trophy 2021-22.
Sarfaraz Khan’s purple patch
Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | |
2019/20 Ranji Trophy | 9 | 3 | 928 | 301* | 154.66 | 78.64 | 3 | 2 | 112 | 22 |
2021/22 Ranji Trophy | 9 | 1 | 982 | 275 | 122.75 | 69.54 | 4 | 2 | 93 | 19 |
Overall FC career | 42 | 7 | 2790 | 301* | 79.71 | 69.55 | 9 | 8 | 307 | 58 |
India vs Bangladesh Test series: Father Naushad Khan BREAKS SILENCE after Sarfaraz Khan Test snub, says ‘We can only control the controllables’ – Check DETAILS
“Whenever I take him to a practice session, we prepare for all three formats. The entire session is divided into three parts: We start with Test match practice till lunch, then head to ODI practice from noon and T20 practice in the evening,” Naushad revealed.
“We change from red to white ball according to the practice. I give a specific target for every week. It’s his routine that’s why he could do well in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022 final”.
Moreover, his father believes that during his time at the Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2015-18, his champion son learnt the art of absorbing pressure better while sharing the dressing room with some of the big guns like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.