After Sarfaraz Khan’s incredible knock in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai against Goa, R Ashwin wants to become a batsman and become a regular for CSK in the upcoming season of IPL 2026. Sarfaraz has shown that he is more than just a Test player sparkling knock of 157 off 75 ballswith the innings laced with nine boundaries and 14 sixes.
On the back of Sarfaraz’s knock, Mumbai eventually won the match by 87 runs. The Mumbai batter got a lifeline during the IPL 2026 auction when CSK decided to pick him up. base price Rs. 75 million. After his knock against Goa, Ashwin quickly took to social media and campaigned for the Mumbai batter to be part of CSK’s starting XI in the upcoming IPL season. Ashwin pointed to his score in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trpophy where Sarfaraz scored 329 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80.
The former spinner said that Sarfaraz is knocking on the door of India selection and CSK should look at using his purple patch in the upcoming season. Ashwin said there is a big problem with CSK entering the new season.
“100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in SMAT. That form has flowed smoothly to Hazare with a score of 55(49), followed today by a spectacular 157(75) with 14 sixes. Especially impressive is the way he kills the spin mid-sweep’sweepshavadas and his thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.” (He’s not knocking on the door, he’s breaking it down) CSK should look at riding his purple patch and surely stick him in the Playing XII? A real problem of abundance with the bat for the men in yellow this season! Can’t wait for IPL 2026!” tweeted Ashwin.
CSK’s problem with enough
As stated by Ashwin, CSK really have a big problem with an incredible batting line-up. The five-time champions have assembled a formidable top order that includes Sanju Samson, acquired through a trade from Rajasthan Royals, along with Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis and Urvil Patel. Kartik Sharma and left-arm spinner and all-rounder Prashant Veer add further depth at Rs 14.2 crore each.
This means that Sarfaraz may struggle to find a starting spot, but he can be part of the substitutes list.
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Published on:
December 31, 2025
