3 weeks ago
Sarfaraz Khan gets Test comeback chance after 17kg weight loss
Sarfaraz Khan is a cricket player from Mumbai, India.
He plays for the Indian national team.
He had not played a big international Test match for 19 months.
During that time, he worked very hard to get better.
He lost almost 17 kilograms of weight with the help of his father, who is also his coach.
He even hired a chef to cook healthy food for him.
Some famous cricketers, like Sunil Gavaskar and Chris Gayle, said people should not make fun of his weight.
Now Sarfaraz has got a new chance to play for India against Sri Lanka.
He will try his best to prove that he belongs on the team.
Sarfaraz Khan has been recalled to India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka series, replacing the injured Sai Sudharsan.
His last Test was 19 months ago under captain Rohit Sharma at the Wankhede, when India were whitewashed by New Zealand.
Sarfaraz lost nearly 17kg through fitness and diet work with his father Naushad Khan, hiring a chef suggested by Rishabh Pant.
He scored 429 runs in nine innings at an average of 53.62 in last season's injury-hit Ranji Trophy campaign.
He will compete with Dhruv Jurel for the No. 6 spot in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, starting Saturday.
- Who
- Sarfaraz Khan, an Indian middle-order batter from Mumbai, along with his father and mentor Naushad Khan.
- What
- Sarfaraz earned a Test comeback after losing nearly 17kg and working on his technique and mindset, replacing injured Sai Sudharsan.
- Where
- The series is in Sri Lanka, with the first Test at Galle; his previous Test was at the Wankhede in Mumbai.
- When
- The first Test starts Saturday; Sarfaraz joined the team's practice session in Colombo on Monday.
- Why
- He was recalled after hard fitness and technical work, having previously been overlooked for the England tour and India A matches.
Sarfaraz's supporters
Selection panel and team management
Weight and fitness criticism
Sarfaraz's supporters
Sunil Gavaskar and Chris Gayle said Sarfaraz's weight was never a problem - he should have been in the Test side based on performance, including his century against England.
Selection panel and team management
Sarfaraz was once the target of jokes over his weight and fielding agility, and he had to transform his fitness and diet to compete at international level.
Selection decisions
Sarfaraz's supporters
Sarfaraz deserved a place after scoring heavily in domestic cricket and was ignored for India A matches despite not losing heart.
Selection panel and team management
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that with limited squad spots, experienced players like Karun Nair were preferred for the England tour because the team lacked experience without Virat Kohli.
Key facts
- Player
- Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai middle-order batter)
- Comeback reason
- Replaced injured Sai Sudharsan for the Sri Lanka series
- Last Test appearance
- 19 months ago at the Wankhede under Rohit Sharma
- Weight loss
- Nearly 17kg
- Ranji Trophy stats
- 429 runs in nine innings, average 53.62
- Battle for No. 6
- Competing with Dhruv Jurel
- First Test
- India vs Sri Lanka in Galle, starting Saturday
- Notable supporters
- Sunil Gavaskar and Chris Gayle defended Sarfaraz over weight criticism
Quotes
Sunil Gavaskar
Former Indian cricketer and commentator
“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.”
telegraphindia.com
“He should be in the Test side. He should be in the Test squad at least, you know. Scored a century against England at home... He lost weight... nothing was wrong with his weight or anything. He’s just fine.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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