India batter Sarfaraz Khan is toiling hard for the upcoming England tour as he has lost 10 kg through a strict diet plan.

Sarfaraz, who made his debut during the home series against England last year, is yet to play his first Test in overseas conditions.

The 27-year-old has been named in the India A squad for the two four-day matches against England Lions, and the right-hander is preparing hard to make the opportunity count.

According to a report published in India Today, Sarfaraz Khan is on a strict diet plan, featuring boiled veggies and chicken, to get fitter. He’s also sweating it out in the nets, working on the outside off-stump channel, which is key to success in the swinging conditions of England.

Sarfaraz didn’t get a chance during India’s last Test series on Australian soil. He last played against New Zealand in the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Sarfaraz Khan has played six Test matches for India so far, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including one hundred and three half-centuries. His only ton so far came against the Kiwis in Bengaluru as he slammed a magnificent 150 in a losing cause.

Earlier, Sarfaraz scored a magnificent 222* (286) for Mumbai, playing a pivotal role in their Irani Cup triumph.

Following the retirements of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two places are up for grabs in India’s Test XI. Hence, Sarfaraz would be keen to get a chance to don the whites in England. He’s practicing hard under the guidance of his father Naushad Khan to pass the overseas Test.

Meanwhile, Naushad revealed that his entire family has been on a weight-losing mission lately.

"Our whole family is focused on a 'weight-losing mission.' Sarfaraz has lost nine kilograms too in six weeks, which isn't easy, and he's raring to lose more weight," Naushad said while speaking to TOI.

"Both Sarfaraz and I have been slogging in the gym at the Mumbai Cricket Association's BKC facility for at least an hour for six days a week. I go for a walk, while he jogs at the club for almost an hour, and then there's a 30-minute swimming session. Even my younger son Moin (Khan) has lost a lot of weight," he added.

Strict diet has played a huge part in this weight-loss mission. "Sarfaraz and I have stopped eating aata (flour) and rice at home completely. Our diet is now strict but interesting — we eat vegetable sauté with boiled chicken, boiled eggs, and drink green tea and black coffee. We are using very little (olive) oil in our food," Naushad said.