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With experienced batter KL Rahul’s return to the Test squad, Sarfaraz Khan lost his place in the middle order of the playing eleven. Sarfaraz stayed back to play Duleep Trophy ahead of the first Test and then was released during second Test to play Irani Cup. The Mumbai batter proved his worth a day after India completed cleansweep against Bangladesh as he scored a century against Rest of India at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
Sarfaraz walked out to bat at no.6 on Day 1 of the match after pacer Mukesh Kumar wrecked the top-order with the new ball and Shreyas Iyer scored a half-century. At the end of Day 1's play, Mumbai were 237/4 and Sarfaraz was batting on 54 from 88 balls alongside skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Early on Day 2, Rahane missed out on his century as he was outfoxed by left-arm pacer Yash Dayal's bouncer. They shared a 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Shams Mulani fell to Mukesh as soon as the new ball was taken. But Sarfaraz continued to bat with patience. Later in the first session, he reached his century in the 92nd over. He took his helmet and celebrated his 15th first-class hundred. In the 90s, he was dropped by Prasidh Krishna off left-arm spinner Manav Suthar's bowling. At the end of first session, Mumbai were 338/6.
In the second session, Sarfaraz took on the spinners and often cleared the boundary He reached his 150 from 203 deliveries in the 108th over.
Sarfaraz’s Test career so far
Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England where he scored twin fifties. From three Tests, he scored 200 runs from five innings at an average of 50. His strike rate is an impressive 79.36.
Sarfaraz’s recent form
Sarfaraz was not in the best of forms in the Duleep Trophy playing for India B. He scored 71 runs from three innings.
