New Delhi: A few days before his recall to India’s Test squad, Sarfaraz Khan had posted on social media: “I may not fit in, but I’ll fight with everything I’ve got.” An injury to Sai Sudharsan has now handed the 28-year-old a chance to make his comeback count in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Sarfaraz’s recall comes after he shed 17kg over the past year and a half, while also working extensively on his game
against spin. With Mumbai’s monsoon disrupting regular training, he spent time in Kashmir, training with net bowlers and state players.
He also worked at the MCA Indoor facility in Mumbai and used private facilities to bat for long hours on used and under-prepared red-soil pitches.
Dropped after four failures against New Zealand in 2024, Sarfaraz continued to press his case, scoring 92 for India A against England Lions and a century in an intra-squad game.
With Sudharsan still recovering from a toe injury, Sarfaraz emerged as the logical replacement ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad and uncapped Shaikh Rasheed.
His ability against spin could prove valuable in Sri Lanka, with India set to face Prabath Jayasuriya and company in the opening Test at Galle on August 15.
