The year 2025 was supposed to be the real turning point for Sarfaraz Khan in his cricketing career, but it has turned out to be one of his worst phases-so far, and all because of things that were not in his hands. His poor form has carried forward into the domestic circuit too, where the Mumbai batter has been able to score only 95 runs in the first three matches of the ongoing season of Ranji Trophy, for which he was desperately looking forward to making a strong statement.
Being left out of the Indian Test squad for the England tour and subsequently for the series against the West Indies, and then not being included in the India A squad that is currently playing against South Africa, has only added to his frustrations. It has been a tough turn of fortunes for a player who, after a bright Test debut in 2024 – the year he scored three half-centuries and a century – seemed all set for big things.
His progress has also been hurt by injuries, once keeping him out for a while. When he came back, he seemed fitter and leaner, finally having lost that weight which had long been asked of him by critics. However, even after Sarfaraz’s physical transformation, he has had a slow start to the new domestic season, something that hardly befits a player who averages 63 in First-Class cricket.
Yet, in the Mumbai dressing room, there is still a firm belief in his capabilities. Teammate Siddhesh Lad, ahead of Mumbai’s next match against Himachal Pradesh, came out in full support of the 27-year-old. He conceded that these periods can be mentally trying when one doesn’t get opportunities at the big stage, but this time round too the team will rally around Sarfaraz to get him back to confidence and form.
“At the end of the day, he is a human being and everyone makes some mistakes,” explained Lad. “There is always that (rough) patch for big players. If we look at the last 4-5 years, he has consistently scored runs.”
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“Somewhere, it could be demotivating as a player but at this time, it is up to us as a team and support staff as to how do we lift him up? We know his potential and if he plays (well), he will play big innings. As a team, we will try to lift his confidence in any way we can,” Lad said
While his Test average of 37 after six matches might not reflect the immense potential he has shown with the red ball, there’s little doubt that Sarfaraz Khan’s story is far from over – and that both his teammates and fans are backing him to bounce back stronger.
