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Sarfaraz Khan, once hailed as one of the most promising young talents in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has set his base price below INR 1 crore for the 2025 mega auction.
A rollercoaster IPL journey since debut
Sarfaraz, known for his aggressive style, has a history in the league dating back to his debut in 2015, when he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at a young age. Under the captaincy of RCB star Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz gained valuable experience but has had a fluctuating career since then.
After playing with RCB, Sarfaraz moved to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2019, where he spent three seasons, featuring in 8 games in his first season and fewer in the following years. He was later acquired by Delhi Capitals (DC) for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, during which he appeared in only 10 matches. In the IPL 2024 auction, he went unsold, raising questions about his T20 suitability, especially given his limited appearances over the years. Despite playing in 37 IPL matches, Sarfaraz has faced challenges securing a consistent spot in team line-ups, often due to intense competition and evolving team dynamics.
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Modest base price aims to attract franchise interest
With a T20 career record of 1188 runs from 96 games at an average of 22.41 and a strike rate of 128.29, Sarfaraz is working to prove his value in the format. He has shown glimpses of potential with three half-centuries in T20 cricket, but his overall statistics have left some franchises hesitant. By setting his base price modestly at INR 75 lakh, Sarfaraz hopes to increase his chances of selection.
Despite the questions surrounding his T20 performance, the IPL remains a major platform for Sarfaraz, who initially made headlines for his standout performance in 2015. His journey has since taken him through several domestic teams, including Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, as he aims to re-establish his standing in the league. With the 2025 IPL auction scheduled for Jeddah later this month, all eyes will be on whether Sarfaraz can secure a place in the league once again, leveraging his modest base price and his potential as a reliable Indian batting option for teams looking to add depth to their squads.