Sarfaraz Khan: The All-Format Talent India Can’t Afford to Overlook

Blessed with exceptional hand-eye coordination, fearless strokeplay, and an insatiable hunger for runs, Sarfaraz Khan has long been regarded as one of India’s most naturally gifted batters in domestic cricket. From dominating red-ball contests with patience and precision to dismantling bowling attacks in white-ball formats with explosive power, Sarfaraz consistently showcases a rare all-format skill set.

Yet, despite his remarkable consistency and match-winning performances, the Mumbai star remains on the fringes of India’s national setup—a situation that has drawn sharp criticism from former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar.

Vengsarkar Voices Support

Vengsarkar has strongly backed Sarfaraz, stating that the Mumbai batter is more than capable of representing India in all three formats. He called it a “real shame” that Sarfaraz continues to be overlooked despite producing consistent performances across domestic tournaments.

Domestic Dominance Too Hard to Ignore

Sarfaraz has been in sensational form this domestic season, scoring heavily in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He recently lit up the tournament with a blistering 56-ball century against Goa, hitting nine fours and 14 sixes. That followed an even more breathtaking innings of 157 off just 75 balls, powering Mumbai to a massive 444/8 in 50 overs.

Such performances, Vengsarkar believes, make his continued omission from the national team baffling.

“He Has Already Delivered for India”

Speaking toThe Times of India, Vengsarkar recalled Sarfaraz’s impact during the home Test series against England, highlighting the crucial partnership he shared with Devdutt Padikkal in Dharamshala that helped India seize control and ultimately win the match.

“After that series, he didn’t get another opportunity. He even toured Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but didn’t play a single Test. That’s hard to understand,” Vengsarkar said, emphasizing that Sarfaraz possesses the temperament and skill to succeed in all formats.

IPL Setback, But Momentum Intact

Sarfaraz’s struggles at IPL auctions also raised eyebrows. After going unsold twice, he finally secured a Rs 75 lakh deal with Chennai Super Kings for the 2026 season. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 329 runs in seven matches at a stunning strike rate of 203.08, underlining his explosive potential.

A Crucial Phase Ahead

With the domestic season and IPL around the corner, Sarfaraz stands at a pivotal juncture. If he continues to perform at this level, calls for his return to the Indian team may soon become impossible to ignore.