Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan has been finally rewarded for his consistency in domestic cricket as he earned his maiden India call-up on Monday (January 29) for the Test series against England.
Sarfaraz received his chance after injuries ruled Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul out of the second Test, starting on February 2 in Vizag.
Sarfaraz, 26, has been one of the most prolific run-scorers in Indian domestic cricket over the last two years but was still finding it difficult to find a spot in the Indian Test squad.
However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee couldn’t overlook the right-hander after he registered scores of 4, 55 and 161 in the first two unofficial Tests against England Lions.
Reacting to the news of his first-ever call-up in the Indian team, Sarfaraz Khan's father Naushad Khan thanked the BCCI and selectors for showing faith in his son.
"You all know that Sarfaraz got his maiden Test call-up today. I want to thank everyone, especially Mumbai Cricket Association where he grew up. Also, the National Cricket Academy where he got experience, BCCI and the selectors for trusting in him, and all his fans who prayed for him and supported him,” said Naushad in a video shared by Sarfaraz’s younger brother Musheer Khan on Instagram.
"We all hope that he always plays well for the country and contributes to the team's win," he added.
Sarfaraz Khan has so far played 45 first-class matches, amassing 3,912 runs at an average of 69.85, including 14 hundreds and 11 half-centuries.
