Why work harder? Repeated omissions force Sarfaraz Khan to question his grind
Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan has admitted that he sometimes questions the point of continuing the relentless grind required to play at the highest level, nearly two years after his last appearance for India. The 29-year-old, however, said the sight of his father Naushad continuing to work hard for him remains his biggest motivation.
Sarfaraz opened up about his struggles after scoring 55 for Mumbai on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Railways at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Monday. His remarks come amid a wider debate over his continued absence from India's Test plans, despite his consistency in domestic cricket.
"Every morning, I wake up and ask myself the same question: Why should I work harder and go through the same thing again and again? I have played for India. I wake up at 5 am and go to practice. I could play for Mumbai if I wanted to, and I am still playing. Sometimes, that question crosses my mind," Sarfaraz said.
"But when I see my father working hard for me, I want to score runs for him now. This is the only thing that motivates me."
Sarfaraz and his younger brother Musheer continue to train under their father, Naushad, who has been central to their cricketing journeys. The Mumbai batter's remarks offered a glimpse into the mental battle that comes with continuing to push for an India return after having already experienced international cricket.
"Everyone knows that if you want to meet Sarfaraz Khan you don't have to come to his home address but you can meet him either at the Azad Maidan or the Cross Maidan at 6:00am," the Mumbai batter said.
Sarfaraz made his long-awaited Test debut against England in February 2024, having built an impressive record in domestic cricket. He went on to play six Tests, all in India, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three fifties. His highest score remains the 150 he made against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October 2024.
His last international appearance came against New Zealand in Mumbai in November 2024. Sarfaraz was subsequently part of India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia but did not feature in a Test. He was also named as Sai Sudharsan's replacement for India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in August 2026, but did not make the playing XI in either match.ONLY FOR HOME TESTS?
Asked about the clarity he had received from the selection committee, Sarfaraz said he had heard that he would be considered for opportunities in home conditions. However, he questioned that approach, pointing to the runs he had scored in overseas conditions while representing India A.
"When I went to the Indian team, I heard that I would be given more chances in Indian conditions. But I still have a question. When I went to Africa, I scored 100 runs against the Indian team in 60 balls. When I went to England, I scored 100 runs in 60 balls," he said.
"So I think when you come back to India, you get such big rank turners. You struggle so much to get into the Indian team and suddenly you are expected to perform on such difficult wickets. It is not that I haven't scored runs outside India. I have scored runs outside too. That's their lookout, that's their point of view. But my job is to play cricket, and I will continue playing."
Sarfaraz was referring to two hundreds in India A intra-squad matches. He struck a 61-ball century against the senior Indian side in Pretoria in December 2023, ahead of India's Test tour of South Africa. In June 2025, he scored 101 off 76 balls in Beckenham during India's preparations for the five-Test series against England. He was not part of the senior squads for either of those tours.
Sarfaraz also acknowledged the challenge of returning to Indian conditions, particularly when pitches offer significant assistance to spinners. His last four Test innings, against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai in 2024, yielded scores of 11, 9, 0 and 1. India lost both Tests, with New Zealand completing a historic 3-0 series sweep.
"When you come back to India to play on big rank turners, yes, you get to the Indian team after so much struggle in domestic cricket, but suddenly you are not able to perform on such difficult wickets," he added.
On Monday, Sarfaraz's 55 off 100 balls helped Mumbai reach 247 for six at stumps on the opening day against Railways. Angkrish Raghuvanshi top-scored with 78, while Siddhesh Lad made 47.- Ends
