Sarfaraz Khan has spoken candidly about the lack of backing he feels he has received during his India Test career, saying that his father remains his sole source of support and motivation. The Mumbai batter made these remarks while continuing to represent Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, including a fifty against Railways at Brabourne Stadium.
Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England on February 15, 2024, and went on to score his maiden Test century during the home series against New Zealand in October 2024. India lost that series 0-3. His most recent Test appearance came in November 2024, also against New Zealand. Since then, he warmed the bench during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia without getting a game, was left out of the India squad for the New Zealand tour, and was not considered for the England Test series in 2025, with weight management cited as a factor in his exclusion. He had reportedly reduced his weight from 97 kg to 77 kg to get back into contention.
He was recalled to the Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka starting August 15, 2026, coming in as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan, who had suffered a stress fracture in his toe. Sarfaraz said he had also been called to the National Cricket Academy but did not receive an opportunity there, and returned to play domestic cricket for Mumbai.
“I was batting in the NCA. They called me there and I didn’t get an opportunity. I came back and played cricket in Mumbai. I am just playing. They (selector) will call me wherever I get a chance. I will go and play. If they don’t call me, I will play here,” Sarfaraz told the Indian Express during Mumbai’s Round 3 Ranji Trophy game.
What has Sarfaraz Khan said about his motivation to keep going?
Despite the repeated setbacks, Sarfaraz has continued to train and play domestic cricket. He described waking up at 5am daily for practice and acknowledged that he has questioned the purpose of continuing to push himself through the same cycle, but said his father’s dedication keeps him going.
“Har subah utatha hoon, (I wake up every morning) and ask myself the same question. Why should I work harder and undergo the same thing again and again. I have played for India. I wake up at 5am in the morning and go to practice. Chahoon to Mumbai ke liye khel sakta hoon and I am still playing. Sometimes I get that question in my mind. But when I see that my father is working hard for me, mein unko liye ab score karna chahta hoon. This is the only factor which is motivating me,” Sarfaraz added.
He also addressed the broader question of support in his career, pointing to his extensive domestic record of scores in the 300s, 200s and 250s as evidence that his performances have been consistent.
“Everyone knows that I don’t have support in my life. If I have support, it is only from my father. No one has supported me in my life. But it’s okay. I have worked hard. I fulfilled my father’s dream. It’s not easy to play in India in this generation. And I didn’t score once or twice and played in India. I scored 300’s, 200’s, 250’s.If someone supports me, it’s my father. I will keep working hard as much as I can,” Sarfaraz expressed.
What does Sarfaraz Khan say about his performances outside India?
Sarfaraz also pushed back against any suggestion that his game is limited to home conditions, pointing to specific performances on tours of South Africa and England where he scored 100 runs in 60 balls against the Indian team on each occasion. He argued that a batter who has scored runs in challenging overseas conditions should not be expected to suddenly struggle on rank turners at home.
“When I went to the Indian team, I heard that I will be given more chances in Indian conditions but still I 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. So I think when you come back (in India), you will get such a big rank turner in India. You struggle so much and suddenly you won’t be able to work with such a difficult wicket. It’s not that I didn’t score outside. I scored outside too. That’s their look out, that’s their point of view. But my job is to play cricket, and I will continue playing,” Sarfaraz added.
Sarfaraz’s position remains that of a player who has fulfilled his domestic obligations and is waiting on selectors to make their call. He has made clear he will continue playing for Mumbai regardless of whether a national recall arrives.
His Test debut in February 2024 and his maiden international century against New Zealand in October 2024 remain the highlights of a brief but notable India career so far, with the Sri Lanka series in August 2026 representing his most recent return to the national setup.
