In June 2022, Sarfaraz Khan found himself in the spotlight, often being associated with the legendary Don Bradman. At just 24, he was making waves in India’s first-class cricket, becoming the first Indian batter to notch over 900 runs in consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons. Cut to Two seasons later, Sarfaraz earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team, eagerly anticipating the chance to don the national cap in the second India-England Test.
Expressing his joy, Sarfaraz shared, “More than myself, I’m happy for my father. He was dreaming of seeing this day. Being selected out of 125 crore people feels special.” Reflecting on his cricketing inspirations, he mentioned Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sir Vivian Richards, and Javed Miandad, the latter being likened to his playing style by his father.
Sarfaraz admitted to studying successful players like Joe Root to learn and apply their techniques, aspiring to continue this approach in both domestic and international cricket. “I like to watch Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sir Vivian Richards, and even Javed Miandad because my dad has told me that I play like him. I watch Joe Root’s batting also, says Sarfaraz.
“Anyone who is succeeding, I am watching them to see how they are doing it so I can learn and apply it. I want to continue doing this, whether it’s in the Ranji Trophy or playing for India in the future,” Sarfaraz told JioCinema.
I am not easily satisfied, Sarfaraz Khan says about his strength
Sarfaraz Khan’s cricketing journey started with his father’s introduction to the sport. Despite initial struggles and doubts about his attacking style, he credits his father’s unwavering belief in hard work for his success. Now, with 3912 runs from 45 First-Class matches at an impressive average of 69.85, including 14 hundreds and 11 fifties, Sarfaraz has become a standout performer in red-ball cricket.
When asked about his consistency, Sarfaraz unveiled his secret, emphasising his insatiable hunger for improvement. He revealed, “My strength is that I am not easily satisfied. I play 500–600 balls every day. If I don’t play at least 200–300 balls in a match, I feel like I haven’t done much. It’s a habit now. If you want to play five-day cricket, you have to stay patient and practice every day. I play cricket all day, and that’s why I can stay on the pitch for a long time.” Sarfaraz’s commitment to daily practice and his unyielding work ethic underscores his determination to excel and contribute to Indian cricket’s future successes.
