Sarfaraz Khan last played international cricket during India’s dismal 0-3 Test series defeat by New Zealand in 2024. He missed the subsequent Border-Gavaskar series. Ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Sarfaraz underwent a physical transformation, losing several kilos to get into top shape. However, he failed to make a comeback for the UK tour. He suffered another setback when he was not named in the squad for the home Test series against the West Indies.
However, what surprised fans the most was his absence from India A’s squad for the series against South Africa A. The Mumbai batsman will now look to score runs in the domestic circuit, which could help him get back into the Test team.
His Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to pick the cricketers in the India A squad to prepare for the international circuit. He believes Sarfaraz will return to the Indian team once he is back in the running for Mumbai. In Mumbai’s first match in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Sarfaraz made scores of 42 and 32 in the two innings.
“Nowadays, for the India A side, they are looking at guys, who they want to prepare for international cricket. Sarfraz doesn’t need an India A match to play international cricket. If he starts scoring again, he can immediately start playing Test series as well,” Thakur told the media ahead of Mumbai’s match against Chhattisgarh, which starts on Saturday, October 25.
“When he came back in the previous match against J&K, he had a nice 40 (42). It was very unfortunate that he was run out. But for him, I don’t think playing India A is important,” said Thakur, who expressed confidence in Sarfaraz’s ability to contribute in important matches.
He has done it for years and years: Shardul on Sarfaraz
Earlier this year, Sarfaraz had traveled with the India A teams for the tours of Australia and England but could not break into the senior Test squad. Notably, he scored a composed 92 against the England Lions at Canterbury, silencing his naysayers with a solid performance in pace and bounce-friendly English conditions.
Expressing his confidence in Sarfaraz, Thakur said the 28-year-old has scored big runs for Mumbai, especially when they were under pressure. The all-rounder backed Sarfaraz to excel no matter what position he plays.
“He is a senior professional and when we put him on the 22 yards, he is someone who always delivers in crunch situations. He has big scores of 200-250 and those innings have come when the team was two or three down quite early in the innings. To play that kind of innings under pressure, you have to have something special in you,” he said, highlighting Sarfaraz’s temperament.
“He is one of the special players who never disappoints by performing and putting up big scores. He has done it for years and years. No matter what number he hits, I think he will deliver,” Thakur concluded.
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