Why should I work more? Repeated insults make Sarfaraz Khan question his grind

Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan has admitted that almost two years after his last appearance for India, he sometimes questions the point of continuing the relentless grind of playing at the highest level. However, the 29-year-old said his biggest motivation remains seeing his father Naushad continue to work hard for him.

Sarfaraz opened up about his problems after scoring 55 for Mumbai on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match against Railways at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Monday. His remarks come amid a wider debate about his continued absence from India’s Test schedules, despite his consistency in domestic cricket.

“Every morning I wake up and ask myself the same question: Why should I work harder and go through the same thing over and over again? I played for India. I wake up at 5 in the morning and go to practice. If I wanted to, I could play for Mumbai and I still play. Sometimes that question crosses my mind,” said Sarfaraz.

“But when I see my dad working hard for me, I want to score for him right away. This is the only thing that motivates me.”

Sarfaraz and his younger brother Musheer continue to train under the tutelage of their father Naushad, who has been central to their cricketing journeys. The Mumbai batsman’s remarks offered a glimpse into the mental struggle that comes with India’s continued bid to make a comeback after experiencing international cricket.

“Everybody knows that if you want to meet Sarfaraz Khan, you don’t have to come to his home address but you can meet him either at Azad Maidan or Cross Maidan at 6 am,” Bombay said.

Sarfaraz made his long-awaited Test debut against England in February 2024, building an impressive record in domestic cricket. He played six Tests, all in India, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three fifties. His highest score the 150 he made against New Zealand remains in Bengaluru in October 2024.

His last international appearance came against New Zealand in Mumbai in November 2024. Sarfaraz was subsequently part of the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, but did not feature in a Test. He was also appointed as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in August 2026but he did not make it into the playing eleven in any match.

ONLY FOR HOME TESTS?

Asked about the clarity he received from the selection committee, Sarfaraz said he had heard that he would be considered for opportunities in domestic conditions. However, he questioned this approach, pointing to the runs he scored in overseas conditions while representing India A.

“When I went to the Indian team, I heard that I will get more chances in Indian conditions. But still I have a question. When I went to Africa, I scored 100 runs against the Indian team in 60 balls. When I went to England, I scored 100 runs in 60 balls,” he said.

“So I think when you come back to India, you get such big lathes. You fight a lot to get into the Indian team and suddenly you are expected to play on such difficult wickets. It’s not like I haven’t scored outside India. I’ve also scored runs outside. That’s their view, that’s their view. But my job is to play cricket and I’ll keep playing.”

Sarfaraz had two hundreds in India’s A team in mind. In December 2023, ahead of India’s Test tour of South Africa, he scored a 61-ball century against the senior Indian side in Pretoria. In June 2025, he scored 101 off 76 balls at Beckenham during India’s preparations for the five-Test series against England. He was not part of the senior teams on either of those tours.

Sarfaraz also acknowledged the challenge of returning to Indian conditions, especially when pitches offer significant help to spinners. His last four Test innings against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai in 2024 produced scores of 11, 9, 0 and 1. India lost both Tests and New Zealand completed the historic series 3–0.

“When you come back to India to play big turners, yes you get into the Indian team after playing so many matches in domestic cricket, but suddenly you are not able to play on such difficult wickets,” he added.

On Monday, Sarfaraz’s 55 off 100 balls helped Mumbai reach 247 for six at stumps on the opening day against Railways. Angkrish Raghuvanshi top scored with 78 while Siddhesh Lad scored 47.

– The end