Sarfaraz Khan’s long-held respect for Mohammad Azharuddin turned into a meaningful cricketing moment as the Mumbai batter produced one of the finest knocks of his domestic career. Playing against Hyderabad in an Elite Group D Ranji Trophy fixture at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sarfaraz delivered a dominant double century that showcased both skill and maturity.
His innings of 227 runs became the backbone of Mumbai’s massive first-innings total of 560, setting the tone early in the contest. The knock was marked by fluent strokeplay, with 19 boundaries and nine towering sixes, and came at an impressive strike rate of over 100. What made the effort even more notable was the quality of the opposition bowling, which included India pacer Mohammed Siraj, known for his ability to challenge batters with pace and movement.
Learning The Art Of Reverse Swing
After the day’s play, Sarfaraz opened up about a crucial interaction that helped shape his approach. A meeting with Mohammad Azharuddin on the eve of the match proved to be a turning point, especially in understanding local conditions. “I haven’t played much reverse swing in my career. Azhar sir told me the ball reverses early here and explained where to stand for the inswing, even demonstrating shots. We spoke for nearly two hours,” Sarfaraz told reporters.
He explained that the surface demanded positive intent, as the ball occasionally stayed low, forcing him to stay proactive and adaptable. The advice helped him plan his movement and shot selection, allowing him to counter reverse swing effectively and maintain control throughout his long stay at the crease.
Mutual Respect And Bigger Aspirations
Sarfaraz Khan also spoke warmly about his admiration for Azharuddin, tracing it back to his childhood. “When I was young, my father showed me videos of Azhar sir. Even now, he shows me clips of his flick shots. I’m a big fan of his style,” he said. However, Azharuddin himself was quick to dismiss any personal credit for the performance. “Sarfaraz should get all the credit — why me?” he told Cricbuzz, adding that he merely shared basic insights when Sarfaraz approached him with questions.
Azhar further backed Sarfaraz’s case for higher honours, stating, “He has done well and should be selected for the Indian team. He is not getting chances. He is an attacking batter and, unlike many others, he has not had too many opportunities. He has delivered at every level,” Azhar said. Sarfaraz has played six Tests so far, scoring one century, but has not featured for India since November 2024, making this innings a strong reminder of his ability and hunger for bigger stages.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
