Sarfaraz Khan 2.0 announces himself with a sensational 92-ball century for Mumbai
After being snubbed for the five-Test series in England, Sarafarz Khan is aiming to make a comeback to the international stage and is eager to prove his mettle
Since the pictures of his transformation went viral on social media, Sarfaraz Khan has been the talk of the town in the Indian domestic cricket circuit. The fitter, leaner avatar of Sarfaraz broke the internet, with many calling him Sarfaraz 2.0 after a remarkable, transformative journey in which he shed close to 17 kilograms. Since the dramatic change in his physique, Sarfaraz took the field for the first time in a competitive match during a Buchi Babu Trophy match for Mumbai.
Sarafarz looked in fine touch during his superb 92-ball ton against TNCA XI in Mumbai. Sarfaraz played a brilliant counter-attacking knock to lift Mumbai from a precarious position at 98/3 and turned the tide in his team's favour. After being snubbed for the five-Test series in England, Sarafarz is aiming to make a comeback to the international stage and is eager to prove his mettle to get back in the side in India's season-opening Test series against the West Indies, which will be held after the Asia Cup 2025.
Will Sarfaraz 2.0 regain his place back in Indian team?
In a desperate bid to regain his spot in the Indian Test team, Sarafarz underwent a remarkable transformation, shedding close to 17 kgs in just over two months. His talent has never been in question, but Sarfaraz has faced criticism for his fitness. His transformation displayed a disciplined fitness journey full of hard work and determination.
Since making his Test debut against England in February 2024, where he scored twin fifties, Sarfaraz has played 6 Tests, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three half-centuries.
His highest score (150) came against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Despite getting off to a good start in his international career, Sarfaraz has not played for India since the New Zealand series, which India lost at home 0-3.
As many as 16 teams, divided into four groups of four each, are playing in the Buchi Babu Trophy. The round-robin games will be three-day affairs, with the first innings of each team comprising 90 overs, while the second innings will have 45 overs each.
The knockout fixtures will be four-day fixtures, with each innings being 90 overs per side.