New Delhi: India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav recently revealed how Sarfaraz Khan is working with a chef recommended to him by his teammate Rishabh Pant to get fitter for the Indian team’s tour of Australia later this year. Sarfaraz is already eyeing a spot in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after doing well in the limited opportunities he has got for the national team in the longest format.
Sarfaraz notched up his maiden Test century for India in their ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After India’s spectacular collapse in their first innings of the Test match, the 26-year-old turned out to be the hero for the hosts in the second innings. Sarfaraz hammered a brilliant knock of 150 runs to help the hosts post 462 runs on the board.
Sarfaraz played a terrific knock under pressure and displayed his grit and determination en route to his 150-run knock which came off 195 deliveries and was laced with 18 fours and three sixes. He added two valuable partnerships of 136 runs for the 3rd wicket and 177 runs for the 4th wicket with Virat Kohli (70) and Rishabh Pant (99), respectively to help India stage a fightback in their second innings.
Speaking about Sarfaraz’s fitness, which has often come under the scanner, Suryakumar revealed the batter is working with India’s strength and conditioning coach and has also hired a professional chef recommended by Pant to take care of his diet regime.
“Sarfaraz is working on his fitness with the Indian team strength and conditioning coach and Rishabh (Pant) has provided him with a chef who is taking care of his food. The intent is that by the time he reaches the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, his body is in a better shape. Fitness is important in this sport as he gets older, body will change. He is working hard now, he will be fine in future,” Suryakumar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Sarfaraz’s fitness has been questioned by his critics on several occasions, but the batter has managed to shut them with his impressive consistency and ability to score daddy hundreds. The 26-year-old went on to convert his maiden Test ton into a 150 against New Zealand, once again proving his credentials at the highest level.
Can Sarfaraz make the cut for India’s tour of Australia?
Sarfaraz has been a run machine in India but it will be a huge challenge for the right-hander to showcase the same consistency in Australian conditions. Though he remains a string contender to get selected in India’s squad as a middle-order batter, he is likey to face intense competition from others. It remains to be seen if the selectors and the team management will entrust him with the middle order role for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
