Sarfaraz Khan slams 7 sixes in 22-ball 73 but still goes unsold in 1st round of IPL 2026 mini-auction

Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan is among the top 10 run-scorers in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) but his purple patch did not interest any of the 10 franchises in the first round of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. Just over an hour after his 22-ball 73 in the successful run chase against Rajasthan, Sarfaraz went unsold in the first round. Sarfaraz had opted for the least base price of Rs 75 lakh for the mini-auction.

From seven innings, Sarfaraz scored 329 runs at an average of 65.80 and strike rate of 203.08. He has scored a century and two fifties in the season already.

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Sarfaraz, Rahane lead Mumbai home

Against Rajasthan at MCA Stadium, Pune, he walked out to bat at no.3 in the run chase of 217. He walked out to bat at no.3 in the fifth over of the innings after Yashasvi Jaiswal departed for a 16-ball 15.

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Sarfaraz announced his arrival with a four and two consecutive sixes off Kukna Ajay Singh. In the next over, he hit Hemant Kumar for a four and two sixes. Mumbai were 82/1 after powerplay overs. In the ninth over, Sarfaraz smashed leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for two consecutive sixes and as many fours. He reached his half-century from just 15 deliveries, his fastest in the format.

In the 11th over, Sarfaraz was dismissed by Manav Suthar. He hit six fours and seven sixes in his 22-ball 73. In the same over, Suthar dismissed Angkrish Raghuvanshi for a two-ball duck. Rahane continued to anchor the innings. In the 17th over, Atharva Ankolekar hit Chahar for three sixes and a four on the trot. On the first ball of the penultimate over, Rahane finished the run chase. Mumbai won by three wickets as Rahane remained unbeaten for a 41-ball 72.

Raina wanted CSK to pick Sarfaraz

Former Chennai Super Kings batter Suresh Raina expected the franchise to pick Sarfaraz to bolster their middle order. In the mock auction by JioStar, Raina spent Rs 7 crore to rope in India’s discarded Test batter.