Mumbai: India's middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has made an emotional admission about his cricketing journey, revealing that his father has been the only person who consistently stood by him throughout his career. Frustrated by repeated omissions from the national team despite impressive domestic performances, the Mumbai batter questioned the uncertainty surrounding his future in Indian cricket.
Speaking to reporters at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium on Monday, November 2, Sarfaraz opened up about the disappointment of not getting regular opportunities at the international level.
"Everyone knows I don't have support in life. If anyone has supported me, it's my father. Nobody else," Sarfaraz said emotionally.
The 29-year-old added that he had worked extremely hard to fulfil his father's dream of seeing him play for India. He pointed out that his journey was not built on one or two good performances but on years of consistent hard work and big scores in domestic cricket.
Sarfaraz has represented India in six Test matches, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including one century and three half-centuries. However, his last international appearance came against New Zealand in November 2024. Despite being included in India's squad for the 2026 Test tour of Sri Lanka, he did not get an opportunity to play.
He was subsequently left out of the squads for the New Zealand Test matches and the India A assignments.
The batter also admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his selection has sometimes affected his motivation. He revealed that he regularly wakes up at 5 am for practice and continues following the same demanding routine he maintained when he began playing the Ranji Trophy.
"I ask myself the same question. Why get up at 5 am and go for practice?" he said.
However, his father's dedication continues to inspire him. Sarfaraz explained that watching his father work hard motivates him to return to the ground and score runs for him.
The Mumbai batter has also undergone a significant fitness transformation, reducing his weight from around 97 kg to 75 kg. He said the decision was his own, influenced by feedback and discussions surrounding his fitness.
Addressing questions about his performances overseas, Sarfaraz also highlighted his batting displays in South Africa and England, insisting that he has scored runs outside India as well.
Despite the setbacks, he made it clear that he has no intention of giving up cricket. Whether the opportunity comes through India, India A or Mumbai, he is prepared to play wherever he gets a chance.
For Sarfaraz, the immediate focus remains simple: keep scoring runs and continue pursuing the dream that first brought him to the cricket field.
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