• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Emotional Sarfaraz Khan Celebrates Maiden Test Call Up With Father

Emotional Sarfaraz Khan Celebrates Maiden Test Call-up With Father 

image-ls0350ulSarfaraz Khan (X.com)

Uncapped Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan has finally reacted for the first time since earning the maiden Test call-up for the upcoming second Test between India and England, scheduled to be played from February 2 in Vizag.

Having consistently scored first-class runs with an average exceeding 80 since 2020, Sarfaraz had been patiently waiting for a Test opportunity, often being overlooked for reasons unknown. However, his call-up materialized as a cover for KL Rahul, who reported pain in his right quadriceps. The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, added Sarfaraz along with Washington Sundar and Saurabh Kumar to India’s squad for the second Test after Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out.

Sarfaraz's Test call-up follows an outstanding innings in a tour game for India A against England Lions. In challenging conditions, the right-handed batter smashed a remarkable century, scoring 161 runs off 160 balls with the help of 18 boundaries and five sixes. Awarded the ‘Player of the Match,’ Sarfaraz played a match-turning innings in India A's victory over England Lions by an innings and 16 runs in Ahmedabad.

Expressing his joy, Sarfaraz shared a heartwarming Instagram story featuring a cheerful photo with his father. Accompanied by the celebratory song ‘Badal Pe Paon Hain’ from the Bollywood film Chak De India.

image-ls03h74yInstagram story of Sarfaraz Khan (X.com)

Despite the questions surrounding his previous omissions from the Test side, Sarfaraz is delighted with this well-deserved call-up. Finally the sellectors have acknowledged his consistent performances in domestic cricket and for India A.

The 26-year-old Mumbai-based batter showcased his form in a tour game for India A against England Lions earlier this year, scoring 96 runs. Subsequently, he managed scores of 4, 55, and 161 in the two unofficial Tests against England Lions. 

Sarfaraz has been in sensational form in the domestic circuit over the past few years, finishing as the top scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2022 season with 982 runs. In the 2019/20 season, he had scored 928 runs, consistently putting his name in contention for a call-up to the Indian Test side.

Sarfaraz is now one of the two options, alongside Rajat Patidar and Dhruv Jurel, available to India for a potential Test debut in the second Test starting on February 2 in Vizag. Kuldeep Yadav is considered the frontrunner to replace Jadeja unless the team management opts for an all-rounder like Washington Sundar instead.

India is 1-0 down in the series and will be looking to bounce back in Vizag and level the series.