Star India batter Sarfaraz Khan has urged all Mumbai cricketers to embrace the Kanga League, stressing that fear of failure should never hold them back. He believes that if Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar had shied away from the tournament thinking it could harm their careers, they might never have achieved legendary status.
Since making his Test debut for India last year, Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs in six matches at an average of 37.1, including one century. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee did not include him in the 15-member squad for the upcoming Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The Kanga League, a staple of Mumbai cricket, is played during the monsoon season from July to October, known for its tricky, moisture-heavy pitches and unpredictable weather. Representing Parkophone Cricketers, Sarfaraz recently smashed a quickfire 61 off 42 balls against Islam Gymkhana.
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Recalling the tournament’s legacy, Sarfaraz Khan shared a story from his father and coach, Naushad Khan, about how Gavaskar once played a Kanga League match just hours after returning from England. “Musheer [my younger brother] and I have always taken pride in playing this tournament. Even last evening while returning from Nagpur, we hoped it wouldn’t rain,” he told Mid-Day.
After his brilliant 92 for India A against England Lions in May, #sarfarazkhan has opted for an unconventional move by competing in the Kanga Leaguehttps://t.co/HqFyZpSpte
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) August 11, 2025
For Sarfaraz Khan, the message is clear—Kanga League is a testing ground that shapes champions. “Some players think a poor score here could hurt their future. But if Gavaskar sir and Sachin sir had thought the same, Indian cricket’s history might have been very different,” he said.
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It’s been almost a year since Sarfaraz last donned the India jersey. After a stellar 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru last October, he featured in only two more Tests before being left out of the Playing XI. With performances like these in the Kanga League, the Mumbai batter will be hoping to remind selectors of his worth.
