Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Sarfaraz Khan after the Mumbai batter slammed a blistering 157 off just 75 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Goa on Wednesday (December 31).

Ashwin suggested that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should vacant a slot for Sarfaraz in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Sarfaraz has been in sensational form in the domestic circuit this season, smashing a century and three fifties in the recently held Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which earned him a contract with the CSK for his base price of Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction earlier this month.

“100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT. That form’s transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It’s particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps. Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.’ ( He is not knocking on the door, he is breaking it open ). CSK should look at riding his purple patch by slotting him into the Playing XII surely? A genuine problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellove this season! Can’t wait for IPL 2026!,” Ashwin wrote on X.

Sarfaraz failed to attract a bid in the auction initially but was later bought by CSK. If he gets a chance, this would be Sarfaraz’s first appearance in the IPL since he turned up for Delhi Capitals in 2023.

“Thank you so much, CSK for giving me new life. I will make sure CSK will lift the 2026 title,” Sarfaraz had posted on Instagram after securing the deal with the five-time champions.

Besides DC, Sarfaraz Khan has represented RCB and PBKS in the IPL previously. He has played a total of 50 matches in the cash-rich league, scoring 585 runs at a strike rate of 130.58 with one half-century to his name.

While Sarfaraz’s IPL record is quite underwhelming, he has been in fine touch in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 329 runs at an average of 82.25 and a strike rate of 204.34.