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"Everyone makes mistakes": Mumbai teammate backs Sarfaraz Khan after India-A snub

Akshita Patel

Sarfaraz Khan gets support from Mumbai mates [Source: @siddhesshlad, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Sarfaraz Khan gets support from Mumbai mates [Source: @siddhesshlad, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

After a sharp dip in form, Sarfaraz Khan was left out of the India A squad for the red-ball series against South Africa A. However, in these tough times, his Mumbai teammate Siddhesh Lad has publicly backed him.

Khan has managed only 42, 32, 1, 15, and 5 in his last five innings of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. For a player used to turning every inning into a statement, this stretch has been unusually quiet.

Mumbai player actively showers support on Sarfaraz Khan

In this time of crisis, Sarfaraz Khan’s Mumbai teammate Siddhesh Lad came to his defence by shedding light on the mental toll of repeated non-selections.

“Somewhere, it could be demotivating as a player but at this time, it is up to us as a team and support staff as to how do we lift him up? We know his potential and if he plays (well), he will play big innings. As a team, we will try to lift his confidence in any way we can,” Lad told media.

Interestingly, Sarfaraz’s track record certainly supports that optimism. With 4780 runs in 58 first-class matches at an average of 63.73, including 16 centuries and 15 half-centuries, he’s been among India’s most prolific red-ball performers in recent years. 

Yet, despite these numbers, the Test return continues to elude him. Sarfaraz Khan has played six Tests so far, scoring 371 runs with a century and three fifties, which are respectable numbers for someone still establishing himself. 

His century against New Zealand in last year’s home series showcased his grit and class, even as India unexpectedly lost 3-0.

Sarfaraz ignored despite physical transformation

Besides on-field performance, Sarfaraz Khan also made a statement off the field. He underwent a remarkable fitness transformation, shedding nearly 17 kg through strict diet and intense training. 

Once criticised for his physique despite stellar domestic numbers, the 27-year-old Mumbai batter revamped his lifestyle by cutting out sugar, rice, and processed foods, replacing them with lean proteins and greens. 

However, despite the hard work in the gym, Sarfaraz Khan continues to be out of the selectors' plans.