In a powerful display of resilience, Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan, often overlooked by selectors, silenced critics with a remarkable innings of 161 on day two of the second ‘unofficial Test’ against England Lions in Ahmedabad. With India A beginning the day at 150 for no loss, Sarfaraz’s explosive innings, coupled with contributions from Abhimanyu Easwaran (58) and Devdutt Padikkal (105), led India A to a formidable total of 489, securing a commanding 337-run first innings lead.
Sarfaraz Khan’s aggressive approach in favorable batting conditions left the Lions’ spinners struggling to contain his onslaught. His knock, embellished with five sixes and 18 boundaries, showcased a masterclass on handling spinners, particularly targeting left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson and off-spinner Oliver Price.
The burly Mumbaikar’s innings, complemented by partnerships with Washington Sundar (57) and spinner Saurabh Kumar (77), firmly places him in contention for a Test berth. Sarfaraz’s performance sends a potent reminder to selectors, proving that his bat can eloquently articulate his prowess on the field.
England Lions, having been dismissed for 152 on the opening day, now face a daunting challenge, trailing by a significant margin. As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this contest, Sarfaraz Khan’s resilience and dominance in Ahmedabad have undoubtedly sparked conversations about his potential inclusion in the national squad.
