Indian right-handed batter Sarfaraz Khan may not necessarily have been part of the India side that is playing a five-game Test series against England in February-March, but he is surely making himself felt. Sarfaraz, playing as India A, scored a scorching ton to attract the attention of the selectors on Day 2 of an intra-squad series in Beckenham.
The 27-year-old bled 101 runs with 15 fours and two sixes in 76 balls to finish, though eventually out-lasted, with the bat. What was more important about the knock was that it was in the presence of BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) VVS Laxman, who were observing the proceedings closely. The game was shut off with no entry permitted to fans and media.
Many people were surprised when Sarfaraz was left out of the senior team tour against England, as the player played regularly and was respected by all coaches. He had also already charmed with an ugly 92-run performance in the first unofficial test against England Lions in Canterbury, to demonstrate both his form and appetite. The Mumbai batter needs to move on after the heartbreak of being snubbed, but has taken it in stride and has been delivering.
Sarfaraz, who has so far made six Tests on behalf of India, has managed 371 runs on average at 37.10. His greatest performance in an innings was against New Zealand, where he scored a magnificent 150 at Bengaluru. But two mediocre returns in the subsequent Tests against the same team made him fall out, and he has never been selected since then.
Before the England series, Sarfaraz even lost 10 kilograms and trained a lot against the much-swinging red ball to increase his chances. But his name was not included in the 18-member team even after his effort. However, with his century back in Beckenham, the spotlight has once again been shone upon him and possibly back in the reckoning.
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