 "Sarfaraz Khan last played a Test in November 2024 against New Zealand and was not selected in the squad in the recent home season. PTI")
Sarfaraz Khan slammed his maiden T20 century on Tuesday in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to send a loud message to head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar over his non-selection in the Indian team. The right-hander hit an unbeaten 100 in 47 balls to play a starring role in Mumbai’s 98-run thrashing of Assam in Lucknow.
Sarfaraz played his last Test in November 2024 and was dropped from the squad after the tour to Australia where he did not even get a chance. Two Tests before his ouster from the playing XI, Sarfaraz had played a brilliant innings of 150 runs which was his maiden Test hundred.
His continued ouster from the Test squad despite a First-Class average of over 63 has come into focus after Indian batters’ timid display against South Africa at home. India lost 2-0 in what became their second whitewash in last three series at home.
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Sarfaraz Khan celebrates with a ‘roar’
Sarfaraz could not hold himself from celebrating hard after his century. The right-hander jumped in joy and let out a wild roar as his team-mates applauded his innings.
The 28-year-old has been out of India set-up since early 2025 and has been consistently ignored in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well in the last two auctions. Despite IPL snubs, Sarfaraz continued to focus on red ball cricket and that meant he had not played a T20 for two years.
In his first outing in a T20 match in two years, he came into bat in the fourth over and started with caution before breaking loose at the death. He completed his half-century in 31 balls but raced to his next 50 runs in just 16 deliveries to bring up his maiden ton in the format. His previous highest score in T20s was 67.
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View AllThe century helped Mumbai put up a mammoth total of 220/4. Captain Shardul Thakur then picked up three wickets in his very first over and finished with five wickets to bowl Assam out for 122.
Mumbai now have four wins in four matches in the tournament. As Mumbai keep going strong in their title defence, Sarfaraz too would want to continue his good performances ahead of the IPL auction on December 16.