Sarfaraz Khan was scoring heaps of runs in domestic cricket but still his fitness was under scrutiny. Sarfaraz does not look like one of the fittest cricketers because of his body type. While legends like Sunil Gavaskar have defended him, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that Rishabh Pant provided him with a chef to help him get his diet right. Also, he is working with the strength and conditioning coach to get in better shape ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
“Sarfaraz is working on his fitness with the Indian team strength and conditioning coach and Rishabh (Pant) has provided him with a chef who is taking care of his food. The intent is that by the time he reaches Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, his body is in a better shape. Fitness is important in this sport as he gets older, body will change. He is working hard now, he will be fine in future,” Suryakumar told The Indian Express.
Suryakumar lauds Sarfaraz’s dedication
Suryakumar said that Sarfaraz's looks are deceiving and he can bat for longer periods converting his hundreds into big ones. In addition, he practices early in the morning before getting on the team bus.
“His body type might make him look fat but if you ask him to bat 450 balls, score double hundred, triple hundred, daddy hundred, he has that skill. I think the team has a similar demand to make big hundreds, play game changing knocks… I have never seen him skipping practice even on match day. If there is a game, he will get up at 5 am, bat for one hour near his home and then join the team bus. After the game he will go to the nearby ground and bat again,” Suryakumar said.
Gavaskar comes in Sarfaraz’s defense
Gavaskar called out people who judged Sarfaraz on his weight. He feels that players don't need to be slim and trim like models who walk the ramp and players come in all shapes and sizes.
“If you are looking for only slim and trim guys, then might as well go to a fashion show and find some other models and give a bat and ball in their hands and then improve them. That’s not the way cricket goes,” Gavaskar said. “You have cricketers in all shapes and sizes. Don’t go by the size, go by the scores or wickets. He is not staying off the field when he scores a hundred. He is back on the field again. So, all that tells you is that the man is fit.
“Cricket fitness is the most important thing. Yo-Yo Test can’t be the only criterion. You got to make sure that the man is cricket fit as well. If the person, whoever it is, is cricket fit, then I don’t think it should be any matter”.
