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Suryakumar Yadav has publicly praised Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan for his remarkable double century against the Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024, a historic achievement that marks him as the first Mumbai player to reach this milestone in the tournament’s history. Sarfaraz’s innings not only highlights his talent but also solidifies his position as one of the leading batsmen in Indian domestic cricket.
Early Struggles Turned Triumph
Mumbai faced early setbacks after being invited to bat first, stumbling to a precarious 37/3. However, the situation took a turn when veteran players Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer combined for a significant 102-run partnership, stabilizing the innings. Rahane’s impressive score of 97 and Iyer’s solid 57 set the stage for Sarfaraz’s explosive performance.
Coming in at No. 6, Sarfaraz Khan showcased his impeccable form, building on the momentum established by Rahane. He formed a formidable 183-run partnership with Tanush Kotian, who contributed a valuable 64 runs. Sarfaraz’s innings continued to flourish as he completed his double century during a 73-run stand with Shardul Thakur, who added 36 runs to the total.
At the end of Day 2, Mumbai declared their innings at a commanding 536/9, with Sarfaraz remaining unbeaten on an impressive 221 runs off 276 balls, including 25 fours and four sixes.
Suryakumar’s Instagram Tribute
In a show of camaraderie, Suryakumar Yadav took to Instagram to celebrate Sarfaraz’s historic achievement. He shared a video expressing his admiration and respect for Sarfaraz and his brother Musheer Khan, who also made headlines earlier in the season by scoring a century in the Ranji Trophy final.
Suryakumar’s post read, “100 Musheer ka, 100 Sarfaraz ka. Respect,” highlighting the consistency and talent of both players. This gesture from Yadav emphasizes the close-knit community of Mumbai cricketers and their mutual support for each other’s accomplishments.
A Season of Consistency
Sarfaraz Khan’s outstanding performance in the Irani Cup has not gone unnoticed within the cricketing community. Fans and experts alike have taken to social media to express their admiration for his unwavering consistency in domestic cricket. With an impressive average of 69.6 and over 4000 runs, he now holds the second-best average among Indian first-class players.
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Despite being part of the Indian squad for the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Sarfaraz did not make it to the playing XI. However, his participation in the Irani Cup has only added to the pressure on selectors to consider him for future matches, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Fan sentiments on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been vocal about Sarfaraz’s rightful place in the national team. Comments such as “He is piling on the runs, making selectors’ job very difficult,” reflect the growing support for his inclusion. Others have suggested that Sarfaraz deserves a shot in the playing XI against Australia, emphasizing his remarkable domestic performances.
Looking Ahead
Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut earlier this year against England, where he impressed with fifties in both innings. With a total of 200 runs in the series at an average of 50, Sarfaraz has established himself as a promising talent for the future of Indian cricket.
As Sarfaraz continues to shine in domestic cricket, his journey and performances will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans and selectors alike. His historic double century in the Irani Cup not only sets a new benchmark for Mumbai cricketers but also places him firmly in the conversation for national selection in the near future.
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