Despite consistently scoring heaps of runs in domestic cricket, young talented batter Sarfaraz Khan has found it tough to secure a spot in the Indian cricket team. The 25-year-old is understandably upset after being ignored by the selectors for the first two Tests against Australia. Sarfaraz scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75 in Ranji Trophy 2021-22 and has already scored two centuries in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. Despite his glorious run in domestic circuit, the Mumbai batter still waits for selectors' nod.
In an exclusive chat with Indian Express, Sarfaraz said he felt very low when the squad for Australia Tests was announced but vowed to never give up practice and not go under depression.
"Everywhere I go, I hear murmurs that he will play for India soon. On social media, I have thousands of messages talking about my exclusion. Sab bolte hain tera time aayega. I came from Assam to Delhi the day after the selection, and wasn't able to sleep the whole night. I kept asking why am I not there? But now after speaking to my father, I'm back to normal. I will never give up practice, I will not go under depression. Don't worry, I will keep trying," he told The Indian Express.
Sarfaraz admitted he was 'completely down' when he heard the news of not being picked in India's Test squad for Australia matches.
"I was down completely. It's natural for anyone, especially once you have scored so many runs. I'm also human, not a machine. I too have emotions. I spoke to my father and he came to Delhi. I just had a practice session in Delhi with him. I have been getting messages and hearing that I should have been there. My father came and said our job is to score runs and he feels a day will come when I will play for India. So we need to keep that belief and let destiny decide the rest," he added.
Sarfaraz has vowed to never give up.
"I was sad not to see the name. But it is not in my hands. I have been doing everything I can. Din ko din aur raat ko raat nahi samjha (I have been working day and night). I'm just practising day in and day out. When I was growing up, we at home felt was I going to find a place in the Mumbai Ranji team. Now, we are talking about when I will find a place in the Indian team. So I have progressed."
"I have seen more downs than ups in my life, so I won't keep this rejection for long with me," Khan asserted.
In a separate interview with the Times of India, Sarfaraz also said: "When the team was announced and my name wasn't there, I was sad the whole day, when we travelled from Guwahati to Delhi, I was feeling very lonely. I cried too."