Table of Contents
In a strategic move, the Mumbai batter, Sarfaraz Khan, has been included in India’s 17-player squad for the upcoming second Test against England. The uncapped cricketer earned his place alongside Washington Sundar and Sourabh Kumar, filling the void left by the injuries to senior players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul.
Sarfaraz Khan’s stellar show for India A
Sarfaraz earned his maiden India call-up following an impressive performance against the England Lions in the second 4-day unofficial Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The young prodigy’s exceptional innings, amassing 161 runs off 160 balls, garnished with 18 fours and 5 sixes, earned him the coveted Player of the Match title. India A emerged victorious by an innings and 16 runs.
Also READ: IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul ruled out of the second Test; replacements announced
Sarfaraz’s impressive first-class record
With an illustrious first-class record boasting 3912 runs from 45 matches, averaging an impressive 69.85 and a strike-rate of 70.48, Sarfaraz brings a wealth of experience and flair. His cricketing prowess is underscored by 14 centuries and 11 half-centuries, making him a formidable addition to the squad. The batter’s dominance was evident in his top-scoring feat in the Ranji Trophy 2022 season, amassing 982 runs, coupled with a commendable 928 runs in the 2019/20 season.
Here’s how Fans reacted:
From a 12-year old kid who broke Sachin Tendulkar's record in Harris Shield
From a 17-year old who began his IPL journey with a spectacle that made Virat Kohli bow down
To a 26-year old who has the reputation of a run machine in domestic cricket.
Well deserved, Sarfaraz Khan! pic.twitter.com/E7UefrlsQs
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 29, 2024
Really happy for Sarfaraz Khan as he finally gets a maiden call up to the test team. pic.twitter.com/zANGQoGGQx
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 29, 2024
Finally Sarfaraz Khan in Indian Test team. Happy for him, hope he does well. pic.twitter.com/yegF5s0nY0
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) January 29, 2024
Sarfaraz deserved a call-up, I hope he gets to play.
— Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) January 29, 2024
रख हौसला वो मंजर भी आएगा,
प्यासे के पास चल के समन्दर भी आएगा ।थक कर न बैठ ऐ मंज़िल के मुसाफिर,
मंज़िल भी मिलेगी और मिलने का मज़ा भी आएगा ।।Finally Wait is Over 👍
Welcome to Indian Test Team Sarfaraz Khan 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/tkr1ereYZc
— Abhishek Kumar (@abhishekumar_18) January 29, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan's cricket journey:
Ranji 2019/20 – 928 runs, 154.7 avg.
Ranji 2021/22 – 982 runs, 122.8 avg.
Ranji 2022/23 – 556 runs, 92.6 avg.
India A 2024 – 186 runs, 52 avg.
Thrilled he made it to Team India!— Ricardo Gilbert (@RicardoGil61479) January 29, 2024
After nearly 4000 runs in First Class cricket at 69.50 avg, Sarfaraz Khan has finally been added to the Indian Test squad.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ReF8DSTXVl
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) January 29, 2024
Congratulations @sarfarazkhan977 on your selection for the Indian Test team! Your hard work has finally paid off. Wishing you the best of luck as you represent our country. 🇮🇳#Sarfaraz @BCCI pic.twitter.com/bYANgXhcLD
— Rais Shaikh (@rais_shk) January 29, 2024
Our management is running a circus. Sarfaraz debuting? I doubt it. He's more likely to warm the bench 🙃 pic.twitter.com/YWUdgL2pmU
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_) January 29, 2024
One call-up for Jalaj Saxena is all I wished for. Anyway happy for Sarfaraz Khan, finally a reward for truckloads of runs.
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) January 29, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan makes his way into the Indian Cricket Team! 👌
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) January 29, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan arrives. Hope there's a genuine rejig of the No. 3 and No. 5 candidates following the second Test as well. Back the men who've done the work at the domestic red-ball level.
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) January 29, 2024
If a debacle and unfortunate injuries it took to draft Sarfaraz and Patidar in starting XI, then I am all for it!!
Jadeja missing is a massive blow though!Task cut out for India!
— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) January 29, 2024
India seeks redemption against England
The second Test between India and England is slated to begin on Friday, February 2, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Following a 28-run defeat in the series opener on January 28 in Hyderabad, India aim for a comeback in the five-match Test series.
