Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut for India on Thursday (February 15), impressing with a 62-run score in the first innings of the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot. Sarfaraz, 26, became the 311th man to play Test cricket for India. He batted at No. 6 and faced 66 deliveries. During his time at the crease, he hit nine fours and one six. The right-handed hitter missed out on a well-deserved century, but he still made headlines.
Sarfaraz received his maiden Test cap from former Indian captain Anil Kumble before the toss, and his father, Naushad Khan, and his wife were on the sidelines for the cap presentation ceremony. Naushad, who wanted to be a cricketer but was unable to do so, clearly felt emotion when Sarfaraz became India’s 311th Test player. Following the cap-giving ceremony, he burst into tears while hugging his kid.
Early Brilliance of Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz is a prodigy for kids who initially rose to prominence in 2009 when he was only 12. Sarfaraz’s cricketing career began with a record-breaking 439 runs in the Harris Shield, a competition known for producing icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli. In 2013, he was picked for the Mumbai Under-19 team, which piqued the selectors’ interest. Sarfaraz’s outstanding achievements earned him a well-deserved call-up to the India Under-19 Quadrangular Series.
There was a reason why many experts believed the little child was destined to achieve greater things. Sarfaraz’s outstanding performance opened the path for his selection to the India squad for the Under-19 World Cup in the UAE in 2014. His efforts were also recognized at the tournament, as he scored 211 runs in six games with an impressive average of 70.33.
Soon after, he was selected in the 2015 IPL auction for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His selection means he became the tournament’s youngest player. The next year, he became the second-highest run-scorer in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, scoring 355 runs in six matches and scoring crucial runs in difficult situations.
Father’s Struggle and Result
Sarfaraz Khan’s is a tale of filial appreciation. His father, Naushad Khan, a quality cricketer on the Mumbai local circuit, aspired to play for his nation. He couldn’t, therefore he decided to live out his ambition through his two boys. The younger one is Musheer Khan, a current India U-19 cricketer.
So he would create a turf at home in Mumbai’s Kurla neighborhood and give his boys throwdowns daily for them to become good cricketers. During COVID-19, they would travel thousands of kilometers to their village in Uttar Pradesh to practice continuous, unstopped, and unrestricted. It was unable to do so in Mumbai due to the closure.
As the 26-year-old son realized his father’s ambition, his class came to the forefront. His ability to handle spin with exquisite ease was an encouraging indication for a hitting order that has struggled against spin recently, especially in this series. His footwork, certainty, anticipation, defense, and even assault would have astonished the game’s experts. All of the analysts on the broadcast, from Sunil Gavaskar to Sanjay Manjrekar to Ravi Shastri to Nick Knight, praised his technique and composure.
Domestic Domination and IPL stint
Sarfaraz Khan’s grip over domestic cricket is unobstructed. Since his first-class debut in 2014, he has scored an incredible number of runs, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. He has an average of 79.65 in 37 matches, scoring more than 3,500 runs. Over the last three seasons, he has scored over 2,500 runs, including a triple century and nine centuries.
Bowlers fear him because of his aggressive approach and ability to manage pressure. He has been as impressive in other events, like as the Duleep Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with regular performances. His achievements contributed significantly to Mumbai’s ongoing domination in domestic cricket.
Despite his domestic success, Khan has only played 50 IPL matches for three different teams (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals). A lack of continuous playing time has limited his ability to demonstrate his potential and gain confidence.
While showing flashes of brilliance, Khan has failed to establish his rhythm in the IPL. His average of 22.50 and maximum score of 67 do not reflect his domestic supremacy. The pressure of the large stage, different match scenarios, and a lack of experience might all be contributing reasons.
International Dream
Sarfaraz has produced remarkable first-class stats in the previous three Ranji Trophy seasons, scoring over 900 runs in two seasons and averaging more than 100. His run-scoring binge had every cricket analyst and former player pushing for his inclusion in the team. However, he was selected after scoring a 161 against the England Lions for India’s ‘A’ squad. In the absence of numerous veteran players, the selectors could no longer overlook him.
On a warm February evening in Rajkot, Khan’s desire came true. He was full of confidence as he defended himself against James Anderson and Mark Wood. His innings opened with a flurry of boundaries, demonstrating his signature flare. The crowd eager for a new hero, cheered with each well-timed stroke. However, fate had different intentions. A miscommunication resulted in a run-out, leaving him stranded on 62 and the nation heartbroken.
The video of Naushad getting emotional following Sarfaraz’s debut became popular on the internet. A day after Sarfaraz made his India debut, Naushad, Sarfaraz’s coach, revealed a sweet anecdote about the number 97 shirt. During an interview, he disclosed that Sarfaraz and his younger brother Musheer Khan pay respect to him by wearing jersey number 97. This number is a rough mixture of the Hindi numerals 9 and 7, which are nau (nine) and saat (seven).
Journey of Challenges and Struggles
Khan’s journey is not only about runs and records. It’s a struggle against prejudices, overcoming a controversial past, and demonstrating his value in the face of constant criticism. His weight, a subject of public controversy, became a burden, emphasizing the strain that young athletes suffer in terms of their physical appearance. The age controversy returned from time to time, serving as a continual reminder of the difficulties he went through in the beginning.
The Mumbai Cricket Association suspended Sarfaraz for faking his age before accepting the results of an advanced test. He was soon removed from the MCA’s indoor academy program for behavioral reasons. Sarfaraz’s erratic behavior kept going. His match fees for the 2014-15 season were withheld after he made several offensive gestures at group selectors at the end of a U19 game. It is hardly unexpected that Sarfaraz opted to leave Mumbai following the 2014-15 season to join Uttar Pradesh.
Sarfaraz’s story highlights that success is often the result of both skill and the perseverance that comes with it. The young prodigy, who once silenced critics with his bat, now has the potential to do the same on the biggest stage. Sarfaraz Khan’s rollercoaster ride is far from done, and the cricket world watches with eagerness to see where he goes next.
