Home
Sarfaraz Khan got emotional in a recent conversation where he broke down over India snubs despite his hard work. The Mumbai batsman has spoken candidly about the mental toll of repeated omissions from the Indian team, admitting he often questions the value of his rigorous early-morning training routine even as he continues to pile up runs in domestic cricket.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 29-year-old reflected on the frustration of being overlooked despite a strong first-class record. He also spoke about how his father’s support helped him keep motivated amid all the struggles. The cricketer opened up about his hard work, waking up early in the morning and his efforts to continue playing.
“Why should I wake up at 5 am?”: Sarfaraz Khan's emotional breakdown over India snubs & father's support
Sarfaraz recorded 55 for Mumbai on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Railways. After the match at the Cricket Club of India on Monday, the player went on to open up about his struggles amid a wider debate over his continued absence from India's Test plans. He said:
“Why should I work harder? Why do the same things? Why should I wake up at 5 am for practice? I have already played for India. So even with basic effort, I can still play for Mumbai. With that effort, I can still get those 50s and 100s.”
Despite his consistent performance at the domestic level, the player continues to be absent for India. Yet the motivation to persist comes from an unexpected source: his father and long-time coach, Naushad Khan. He added:
“But when I see Abbu putting in that effort, I think of going out there and performing for him. So there is something or the other that keeps motivating me.”
Khan added that his broader drive remains simple. He further said:
“Right now, the motivation is to play cricket. I don’t like to sit at home. I think I’m made for cricket. Wherever I get an opportunity… Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali, Vijay Hazare, IPL, or if the Indian team calls me. I just want to play cricket.”
Across 66 first-class matches, he has amassed 5,354 runs at an impressive average of 63.73, including 18 centuries. The right-hander has had limited opportunities at the highest level. He featured for India during New Zealand’s tour in 2024 and was part of the squad for the 2024-25 tour of Australia, though he did not play. More recently, he was included in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan but was overlooked for India A’s three-match tour of New Zealand.
Khan suggested selectors view him primarily as a player suited to Indian conditions. He has sought to counter that perception with performances abroad, including a 61-ball century in Pretoria for India A in 2023 and a 76-ball 101 against the Indian Test squad in England in 2025. He also pointed to the challenges of transitioning from domestic cricket, where pitches can be extreme. He told:
“In India, you get such big rank turners. You struggle so much when you come from domestic cricket. And suddenly, you will not be able to perform on such a difficult wicket… so you can’t get more than 30-40 runs.”
Fitness has been another focus. Khan revealed he shed 22 kg in the off-season, dropping from 97 kg to 77 kg, in an effort to improve his chances of a national recall. His routine, however, has remained largely unchanged over years of Ranji cricket. He revealed that he has n o season off as he continues to practice. He revealed:
“I don’t know how many runs I am going to make, but the hard work I put in is the same.”
Sarfaraz noted with a touch of humour that he “used to play better when I was fat” and that consistency is never guaranteed. He said:
“It’s very difficult to restart. Sometimes you get success, sometimes you don’t. But this is the job.”
Sarfaraz Khan talks about his father and support
Khan, who can often be found practising at Azad Maidan or Cross Maidan in Mumbai, has long drawn strength from his father’s support. He said:
“Everyone knows that I don’t have support in my life. Only my father has supported me. But it’s okay. I have fulfilled the father’s dream of me playing for India.”
Sarfaraz stated that his path to the national side was built on sustained performance rather than one or two big scores. As the Ranji Trophy progresses and India continues its international calendar, Khan’s comments highlight the delicate balance many domestic performers face between sustained excellence and the uncertainty of national selection. For now, the 29-year-old remains focused on the game that defines him, driven by the example set at home and the simple desire to keep batting.
ALSO READ: BCCI extends IPL 2027 retention deadline amid India-New Zealand ODI clash; will auction date change too?
ADVERTISEMENT
