R Ashwin hails Sarfaraz Khan after VHT heroics, wants him to be a regular for CSK in IPL 2026

Former India and Chennei Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin wants Sarfaraz Khan to become a regular batter for the franchise in IPL 2026.This comes after the latter played a terrific knock of 157 runs from just 75 deliveries for Mumbai against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Sarfaraz's stunning knock vs Goa

Sarfaraz scored 9 boundaries and 14 sixes in what was nothing short of an incredible knock as Mumbai posted a humongous total of 444/8 in 50 overs. In reply, Goa got restricted to 357/9 and lost the match by 87 runs. The 28-year-old has been in fine form when it comes to domestic cricket and can be in contention to make it to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

Ashwin's remarks on Sarfaraz

Sarfaraz was signed by CSK for his base price of INR 75 lakh during the accelerated round of the IPL 2026 auction. Following his heroic inning in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ashwin pointed out how Sarfaraz had maintained a great form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well and remarked that CSK should be looking to use his purple patch to their adavantage.

"100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT. That form’s transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It's particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps," Ashwin wrote on X.

"'Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.' ( He is not knocking on the door, he is breaking it open ) CSK should look at riding his purple patch by slotting him into the Playing XII surely? A genuine problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellove this season! Can't wait for IPL 2026!" he added.

ALSO READ: Australia announce squad for 2026 T20 World Cup, pick Cummins and Hazlewood despite injury concerns

CSK's squad for IPL 2026: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (traded in from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes