Former Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sarfaraz Khan to earn a spot in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) XI for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Ashwin stated that the five-time IPL champions should take advantage of Sarfaraz’s purple patch by giving him a regular role in the line-up.
Sarfaraz has consistently delivered great performances in tournaments. He achieved a century and three half-centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which convinced CSK to sign him for his base price of Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The batsman carried that form over to the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
CSK should look at riding Sarfaraz Khan’s Purple Patch – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Sarfaraz Khan should start for the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Ashwin stated that Sarfaraz has the ability to dominate spin bowling in the middle overs, especially through sweeps and slog sweeps.
“100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT. That form carried over seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49), followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It is extremely impressive how he is killing spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps,” Ashwin posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.” (He doesn’t knock on the door; he breaks it open.) Surely CSK should look at riding his purple patch by putting him in the Playing XII? A real problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellow this season! I can’t wait for IPL 2026!” he added.
100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT.
That form has carried over seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49), followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It is particularly impressive how he kills spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps.… Pic.TwiTTeR.cOM/MFbWAD6QH8
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) DeceMbeR 31, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan joins CSK after going unsold, Eyes IPL to return after 2023
Sarfaraz Khan was initially left unsold, but the Chennai Super Kings later signed him into their squad. If he gets a match, it will be his first IPL appearance since playing for Delhi Capitals in 2023.
The Mumbai batsman expressed his gratitude to CSK for the opportunity and promised to do his best for the franchise. Sarfaraz is no stranger to the competition, having previously represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, with his IPL debut for RCB in 2015.
In the last Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sarfaraz amassed 329 runs at a remarkable average of 82.25 and a strike rate of 204.34, including a century, which makes a strong case for another IPL run.
Sarfaraz Khan smashes 157 for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Sarfaraz Khan played a sensational knock for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, tearing Goa apart with a blistering 157 off just 75 balls in Jaipur. Coming in at number 4 after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, Sarfaraz completely dominated the Goa bowling attack.
The right-hander reached his century in just 56 balls, putting on 150 with a maximum early in the 42nd over. His explosive innings took Mumbai to a huge total of 444 for 8 in 50 overs.
Sarfaraz also built key partnerships during the innings, including big stands with his brother Musheer Khan, captain Shardul Thakur and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore. Musheer scored 60 while Tamore added 53, but it was Sarfaraz’s extraordinary stroke that decided the match.
Also read: ‘Red-hot’ Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad put pressure on selectors ahead of NZ series
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