article by Suvankar Roy
Sarfaraz Khan is making an undeniable case for himself. Just ahead of the squad selection for the upcoming One Day International series against New Zealand, the 28-year-old right-hander—who featured in six Tests for India in 2024—reminded selectors of his pedigree. Coming in at number four following the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz produced one of the most explosive innings of his career.
Representing Mumbai in an Elite Group ‘C’ match of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Sarfaraz took the Goa bowling attack to the cleaners. On Wednesday (December 31), at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur, the middle-order maestro smashed a breathtaking 157 runs off just 75 deliveries for the Shardul Thakur-led Mumbai side. Notably, the Goa attack featured the likes of Arjun Tendulkar and former Delhi Capitals star Lalit Yadav.
A Boundary Blitz
Sarfaraz’s masterclass was punctuated by 9 boundaries and 14 towering sixes. His aggressive approach propelled Mumbai to a massive total of 444/8 in their allotted 50 overs. He wasn’t the only Khan to shine, as his younger brother, Musheer Khan, contributed a steady 60 off 66 balls, while wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore added a quick-fire 53 off a mere 28 deliveries.
Impactful Partnerships
Sarfaraz was the anchor and the aggressor in several key stands:
- 3rd Wicket: 93 runs off 60 balls with Musheer Khan.
- 5th Wicket: 42 runs off just 13 balls with captain Shardul Thakur (27 off 8 balls).
- 6th Wicket: 59 runs off 24 balls with Hardik Tamore.
The 28-year-old reached his century in just 56 balls. He didn’t slow down there, reaching the 150-run milestone on his 72nd delivery with a massive six in the first ball of the 42nd over.
Red-Hot Consistency
While Sarfaraz didn’t get a chance to bat in Mumbai’s third match of the season, his recent form has been nothing short of sensational. He previously scored a composed 55 against Uttarakhand on December 26 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Currently looking for a consistent spot in the national white-ball setup, Sarfaraz was recently picked up by Chennai Super Kings for his base price of 75 Lakhs in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. His recent T20 form was equally impressive during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he notched an unbeaten 100 against Assam, alongside scores of 52, 64, and 73 against Kerala, Haryana, and Rajasthan respectively.