India vs England: Sarfaraz Khan’s First Reaction to Maiden India Call-Up wins Hearts

Sarfaraz Khan has been called to the Indian cricket team ahead of the second Test between India and England that will be held on 2nd February in Vizag. The Mumbai batter has now given his first reaction to finally making it to the Indian team.

After the news was out on Monday, Suryakumar Yadav congratulated the youngster with a heartfelt note on his Instagram account. SKY wrote, “Maiden India call. Utsav ki taiyaarri karo.” Sarfaraz reshared the post by adding background music ‘Aashayein’ from the 2005 Bollywood hit Iqbal.

Sarfaraz has been in scintillating form for the past few domestic seasons. He explained his quality in the recently finished unofficial Test against the England Lions in Ahmedabad.

He scored 161 runs off 166 deliveries. His knock comprised 18 fours and 5 sixes. With his impressive performance, Sarfaraz won the Player of the Series title as India A won the match by 16 runs.

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Despite putting up a series of impressive performances in first-class cricket, Sarfaraz was struggling to enter the Indian squad. His dream finally came true after KL Rahul was ruled out of the second Test against England due to quadriceps pain.

KL Rahul had a good outing in the series opener in Hyderabad, scoring 86 off 123 balls in the first innings. Sarfaraz receives congratulations from cricketers around the globe.

Wishes also poured in from Pakistan for the Indian middle-order batter with Pakistan opener Imam Ul Haq and former player Kamran Akmal taking Twitter to congratulate Sarfaraz.

Very well deserved addition Sarfraz khan #INDvENG looking forward to see him.

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) January 29, 2024

Congratulations brother So Happy for you ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/TDmKXMZYjj

— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12) January 29, 2024

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is also ruled out of the second match after picking up a hamstring injury on the fourth day of the opening Test. For Jadeja’s replacement, the Indian selectors have included left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar and all-runder Washington Sundar.

Rajat Patidar is also in the competition to secure a spot in the playing XI of the second Test. Both Sarfaraz and Patidar may be in the playing XI if Kuldeep Yadav replaces Jadeja.

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In his 45 first-class matches, Sarfaraz Khan has racked up a total of 3912 runs at an average of 65. He has also slammed 14 centuries while registering 11 fifty-plus scores. In the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, Sarfaraz scored 928 runs for the Mumbai team. He replicated his form in the 2022-23 season when he scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75.

Meanwhile, having suffered a 28-run defeat in the opening Test match against England, the Indian cricket team management will now aim for a much-needed comeback in the second Test.