In Mumbai, a debate rages among cricket pundits about Sarfaraz Khan’s batting position, with many advocating for him to move higher up the order to bolster his chances for the national team. However, Mumbai’s captain, Shardul Thakur, dismisses such concerns, confidently stating that the 28-year-old consistently performs under pressure.
Thakur emphasized this point on the eve of Mumbai’s Elite Group D Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh at the MCA Ground, BKC. “Just look at his monumental scores—the double and triple centuries,” Thakur noted, “these impactful innings consistently arrive when the team finds itself in a precarious situation, often two or three wickets down early on.”
“To play innings of such magnitude under immense pressure, one must possess an extraordinary talent,” Thakur asserted. “He has consistently delivered for years without fail. Regardless of his batting position for Mumbai, I am confident he will continue to shine this season.”
Furthermore, Thakur expressed his belief that Sarfaraz has already transcended the need for an India ‘A’ team call-up.
“The India ‘A’ squad primarily serves as a preparatory ground for players transitioning to international cricket,” Thakur explained. “However, I genuinely feel Sarfaraz doesn’t require an ‘India A’ match to prove his worth for the international stage. He showcased exceptional form in the Buchi Babu tournament, only to be sidelined by an injury. Upon his return in the Jammu & Kashmir game, he looked sharp but was unfortunately run out. In my opinion, playing for India ‘A’ isn’t a prerequisite for him; he’s capable of stepping directly into a Test series.”
For the immediate future, the Mumbai team expects their star batter to remain focused on the current season. Their upcoming second Ranji match against Chhattisgarh offers a prime opportunity to demonstrate their dominance on home soil and secure a crucial victory.