Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, recently overlooked for the India A tour of New Zealand, has openly shared his disappointment but remains resolute. The prolific domestic run-scorer admitted to harboring expectations for a national call-up, stating, “Whenever a team comes out, I have expectations. But it’s okay. It’s in their (selectors’) hands whether to select me or not. My job is to play cricket.”

Sarfaraz, who last played for India nearly two years ago, showcased his form with a crucial 55 runs for Mumbai against Railways at the Brabourne Stadium. Despite his consistent performances, including 300 runs at an average of 50 in overseas India A matches, he highlighted a perceived bias towards his suitability for Indian conditions. “When I went to (South) Africa, I scored runs. When I went to England, I scored,” he questioned, challenging the selectors' perspective.

His dedication to the sport is unwavering, as he practices relentlessly, often starting his day at Azad Maidan or Cross Maidan at 6 AM. “It’s very difficult to restart every year, come every year and work hard. Sometimes you get success, sometimes you don’t. But this is my job, I can't do anything,” he added, crediting his father, Naushad Khan, as his primary motivation. Sarfaraz also revealed his significant physical transformation, reducing his weight from 97 kg to 77 kg, driven by public perception rather than direct instructions. He concluded, “I’m not thinking much, I am just playing wherever I get a chance. They will call me up (again), I will go and play. Otherwise I’ll continue to play here (in domestic cricket).”

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