Cricket News

‘He needs to improve fitness’ – Selectors on this Mumbai batter

Mumbai’s young middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan is enjoying his best Ranji season. As of now, he has scored 1632 runs in 14 innings which also included a triple century, two double centuries, three centuries, and three fifties.

He scored a brilliant knock of 153 in the quarterfinal of this year’s Ranji tournament against Uttarakhand, in Bengaluru. However, despite all these runs, he is yet to get a maiden call-up to the National side. While talking to InsideSport, one member of the Indian selection committee told that he needs to work on his fitness as only runs will not be enough for being given a chance in the international arena.

“He is definitely being monitored but at the same time, there are others ahead of him in the queue,” – Selection Committee member

A selection committee member said that he has a lot of competition and for that, he needs to work on fitness firmly. He said: “He is an excellent player and in superb form. But he has a lot of competition in the team. He is definitely being monitored but at the same time, there are others ahead of him in the queue. That is the reason he was picked for India A. But he will have to improve his fitness. Once he improves on his fitness and continues with the form, it will be difficult to stop him,”

Sarfaraz Khan was picked for the India A tour to South Africa tour and there, he managed a half-century as well. Still, he is yet to take a step into the International arena. After the one-off Test against England in July, India are scheduled to play Test matches against Bangladesh and then Australia. Hence, the selection committee member said that if he continues such form then, they will certainly look into this matter closely. “Look, we are not playing a lot of Tests this year. After England, the next Test will be Bangladesh and then Australia. If he continues to do well, we will see how it goes,” he concluded.

Speaking about the Quarterfinal against Uttarakhand, Mumbai opted to bat first after winning the toss and Sarafarz’s innings helped to post a huge total of 647 runs by losing eight wickets. In reply, Uttarakhand are currently struggling at 109 runs for seven wickets.