Sarfaraz has not only returned to Mumbai but is in a better space and is also knocking on the doors of the Indian Test with back-to-back stunning seasons in the Ranji Trophy. Sarfaraz said a chat with then RCB and India captain Virat Kohli had given him a new perspective about fitness.
Sarfaraz Khan’s cricket career has experienced numerous ups and downs, and he is yet to even receive his first India call-up. Even as a teenager, the gifted right-handed hitter was constantly predicted to be the next big thing. He failed to consistently deliver in the IPL or at the first-class level despite all the hype. The young player didn’t play a single match in the 2017 IPL, but Royal Challengers Bangalore nevertheless retained him ahead of the 2018 season, demonstrating their immense faith in him. Sarfaraz, however, did not live up to the trust placed in him and had one of his worst IPL seasons, scoring just 51 runs in seven games. He was questioned about his level of fitness. The right-hander moved to Uttar Pradesh after being fired by RCB and experiencing trouble with the Mumbai Cricket Association at the first-class level.
In the current, Sarfaraz has not only returned to Mumbai but also is in a better place and is vying for a spot in the Indian Test after two outstanding Ranji Trophy seasons. Sarfaraz claimed that a conversation with Virat Kohli, who was then the captain of India and the RCB, had changed his outlook on fitness. “When I played IPL in 2015-06, my fitness level was not good and Virat Kohli had also told me that. After that, I improved my fitness but I again put on weight. But in the last two years, I have been very disciplined about my health. Everyone’s body is different, but it should not affect my game. For the last eight years, I have been in the IPL and clearing fitness tests. In my off-season also, I will pay attention to my health and fitness.
“We used to eat anything when we were not aware of diet habits. We now adhere to a strict diet, nevertheless. We used to regularly eat non-vegetarian meals in our home. We no longer eat biryani or other rice-based dishes, though.
Mumbai struggled in the championship game, but Sarfaraz finished with 982 runs in six games to win the Ranji Trophy for 2021–22. This occurred after he had played in just 6 Ranji Trophy matches during the 2018–19 season and amassed 928 runs.
Sarfaraz, who is currently a part of the Delhi Capitals squad, is yet to break the IPL code but says his main aim is to play Test cricket for India and fulfill his father’s dream.
