Talented batter Sarfaraz Khan has been added to India’s squad for the second Test against England at Visakhapatnam, starting on February 2. He recently opened up that he was with the India A team and was preparing to return to the Ranji Trophy when he got the news of his selection. However, Sarfaraz had been scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket. Many in the cricketing fraternity were relieved when he finally got his maiden Test call-up, as one of the replacements for the injured duo KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.
Sarfaraz Khan recently shared in an interview about his and his family’s emotions after getting to know that he had earned his maiden India call-up.
He also said in a video published by BCCI on their website: “I was about to go to play Ranji Trophy and had packed my India A clothes aside. Suddenly I got a call and came to know that I was selected. It was a bit tough to believe in the beginning. But then I called my father as he wasn’t at home and he and the entire family were emotional. I had a dream that my India A teammates were congratulating me and shaking my hand. It was a recurring dream that I will get selected in the Indian team and I am scoring runs. Whatever happens, happens for good. Whenever I play, it will be a dream come true.”
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Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan has been in sublime form as he smashed 161 off 160 balls for India A in the second multi-day game against the England Lions as well. With the form that he is in, Team India could hand him a debut cap as well. However, Sarfaraz Khan had a couple of great red-ball seasons under his belt but still, he had to wait for a long for the maiden India call-up. Sarfaraz has an average of 69.85 after 45 first-class games, scoring 3912 runs and 14 tons as well.
On this, he said: “In the end, it’s a game of patience. If we want to play Test cricket, we have to show patience. In life, there are times when we rush ourselves.”
Speaking in a video published by BCCI on their website, Sarfaraz Khan said: “I had tears in my eyes whenever I used to think about my selection in the team. But my father adviced me, ‘You keep working hard and you will be unstoppable.’ Having self-belief and patience was very important. Everyone knows that my father is my coach and my ultimate goal was to not let his hard work on me go to waste. I had the desire to get to play for my country so I am happy that the hard work I put in hasn’t gone in vain. I am happy for my father too. It’s a proud moment to make it to the Indian team amidst a population of 125 crore people.”
