Sarfaraz Khan’s father admits to being severe on his kid to teach life lessons. “We had a car but forced him to travel by train so that he learns the hardships of life,” Naushad went on to say.
Sarfaraz Khan made an impressive debut in the third Test against England. His blazing 62 off 66 deliveries on Day 1 at Niranjan Shah Stadium astounded the crowd. Naushad Khan, moved by his son’s achievement, shed tears as Sarfaraz handed him the coveted Test cap, achieving a long-held goal. Sarfaraz’s father admitted to being difficult on him growing up.
Despite consistent brilliance in the Ranji Trophy, the Mumbai batter’s national call-up was elusive for years. However, destiny smiled on him in the absence of stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, allowing him to join the Indian team. On home turf, his aggressive batting approach and ability to counter spinners drew the most attention.
“I’ve been harsh with him, but there was a purpose for it. The nights he went without food were to educate him how the people sleeping on the pavement felt. We had a car but forced him to travel by train so he could experience the challenges of life,” Sarfaraz Khan’s father explained, as recounted by India Today.
“I had a fantasy that he would do what I couldn’t do. It felt as if I was wearing the Test cap via him. Since he was a toddler, he has been subjected to strict rules. He has never flown kites or gone to hang out with his friends. He would get up early in the morning and go to practice. Later, he would return home in the evening to practice some more. “When he received the cap, it felt worthwhile,” he said.
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Sarfaraz reveals wearing India cap was his utmost priority
Sarfaraz faced an early end on Day 1 due to a run-out, despite having already engraved his name into the hearts of Indian cricket fans. Addressing the media during the Rajkot Test, he revealed that wearing the whites for India had been his lifetime ambition. He expressed tremendous gratitude to his father, his childhood mentor, for guiding him through the rigors of the game. He also expressed relief, feeling as if his Test debut had taken a burden off his shoulders.
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