New Delhi, Jan. 30: Sarfaraz Khan got his first call-up to the Indian national team on Monday after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declared that Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul will not be playing in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam starting on February 2, the Mumbai hitter was added to the Indian team.
Over the past few Ranji Trophy seasons, Sarfaraz has excelled. With the help of 14 centuries and 11 half-centuries, he has averaged over 70 in 45 first-class matches overall. In 66 innings, he has scored 3912 runs with a strong strike average of 70.48. His Ranji Trophy record over the past two seasons has been even more impressive. In the 2022–23 season, he averaged 92.66 runs in six games, scoring 556 runs; yet, in the 2021–22 season, he amassed 982 runs at a 122.75 average.
When Sarfaraz was ignored for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home last year, it made headlines. But after scoring 161, 4, and 55 for India A against the England Lions in the first two unofficial Test matches held in Ahmedabad, the selectors were unable to overlook him this time around.
In the U-19 World Cup, Sarfaraz’s brother Musheer Khan has been the backbone of India’s batting so far. Musheer has scored three, 118 not out, and 73 runs against Bangladesh, Ireland, and the United States in the three games that India has played and won thus far.
