Every Indian cricket fan shed tears for Sarfaraz Khan as he won his first Test cap from Anil Kumble ahead of the third Test against England in Rajkot on Thursday, February 15.
Sarfaraz is one of those cricketers who has blasted his way through the selection process on the local circuit and for India A. In 45 first-class games, the right-hander has scored 3,912 runs at a remarkable 69.85 average.
Sarfaraz and his father-coach, Naushad Khan, did not have it easy. Naushad sold cucumbers and track trousers on local trains after moving to Mumbai from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
In an interview with The Indian Express in 2022, Naushad disclosed what Sarfaraz had previously informed him.
“We came from the slums, used to stand in queues for the toilet where my sons would be slapped and overtaken. We came from nothing and will go back to nothing. Sarfaraz told me one day, ‘Abbu so what if this (playing for India) doesn’t happen. We can always go back to selling track pants.”
Naushad Khan
Every hardship feels worthwhile today. Naushad might not need to go back to the train to sell track pants. His hard work and commitment, along with Sarfaraz’s, have paid off, albeit late.
Sarfaraz played like he belonged at the top level, scoring 62 off 66 balls, including nine boundaries and one six. Ben Stokes, England’s captain, used all of his techniques to annoy the rookie, but Sarfaraz appeared unfazed and had answers to every issue.
He was on track for a well-deserved hundred until an unfortunate misunderstanding with Ravindra Jadeja terminated his time in the middle. Once again, the entire nation cried, as did Sarfaraz on his walk back to the dressing room.
“I have kept so much patience, time to keep more” – Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan’s career exemplifies hard effort, endurance, and patience. All of this must have been on his thoughts as he waited four hours for his time to bat after padding up.
While debutants are normally intimidated by this, it was not an issue for Sarfaraz Khan, who had waited years to witness this day.
“I was padded for four hours but told myself that I have kept so much patience, time to keep more,” he told reporters at the end of Day 1.
Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan, who has had a Cinderella start to his international career, will want to maintain the momentum and carve out a niche for himself, as he did on the home circuit.