For a cricketer who has spent years working towards representing India, being repeatedly overlooked can be difficult to deal with. Sarfaraz Khan has opened up about his struggles, admitting that there are mornings when he questions why he should continue putting himself through the same hard work after facing repeated disappointments.
The Indian batter revealed that his father Naushad Khan remains his biggest source of motivation. According to Sarfaraz, seeing his father continue to work hard for his career gives him the strength to keep scoring runs. He now wants to repay his father’s sacrifices through his performances.
Sarfaraz Khan last played for India during the home Test series against New Zealand in November 2024, when India suffered a 3-0 whitewash. He made headlines in the second Test by scoring 150 runs, registering his maiden Test century for India. Following that performance, he was retained in India’s squad for the tour of Australia. However, he did not get an opportunity to play in any of the Tests and was subsequently dropped from the squad.
Speaking about his struggles, Sarfaraz Khan admitted that he sometimes wakes up wondering why he should continue working harder when he keeps facing similar disappointments. However, watching his father put in so much effort for him makes him determined to score runs and continue playing cricket.
When asked whether the selectors had communicated anything to him about his future, Sarfaraz Khan made it clear that he had left the decision to them. He believes his responsibility is to keep performing, whether he gets an opportunity to represent India or Mumbai.
The batter also disagreed with suggestions that his technique was not suitable for playing in overseas conditions. To support his argument, he pointed to his performances in South Africa, where he scored a century in just 61 balls. He also mentioned his 76-ball 101 during intra-squad matches.
Sarfaraz Khan was recently included in India’s tour of Sri Lanka as an injury replacement. However, he did not get an opportunity to play. During that tour, he was reportedly told that he would get more opportunities in Indian conditions.
The 28-year-old also spoke emotionally about the lack of support he has received throughout his career. He said that his father has been the only person consistently standing by him and supporting his journey. Sarfaraz Khan added that he had already fulfilled his father’s dream of playing for India, something that is extremely difficult in the current generation. He also pointed out that his journey was not built on one or two good performances. He had scored several big hundreds, including triple centuries, double centuries and scores of 250, before earning his place in the Indian team.
Despite the repeated setbacks, Sarfaraz Khan remains determined to continue working hard. He believes that his father’s support and sacrifices are enough reason for him to keep pushing himself and scoring runs whenever he gets an opportunity.
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