‘T20 Is Different’ - Sourav Ganguly Not In Favour Of Sarfaraz Khan Playing IPL
Sarfaraz has made a promising start to his Test career. (X.com)
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is of the opinion that Sarfaraz Khan’s game is tailor-made for Test cricket and not for T20s.
Sarfaraz scored two half-centuries in his debut Test, helping India win the third Test in Rajkot. He was run out for 62 off 66 in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 68 off 72 in the second.
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In his second Test, the right-handed batter couldn't do much as he was dismissed for 14 and 0 in Ranchi.
Having observed Sarfaraz closely during their time together at the Delhi Capitals camp, Ganguly underlined that Sarfaraz's game is more attuned to the demands of Test cricket rather than T20Is. Ganguly said,
"I think he’s more of a five-day player. His game is suited for that. T20 is a different format. And the amount of runs he scored in domestic cricket, in the Ranji trophy and in first-class cricket has been phenomenal."
Indeed, Sarfaraz's statistics support Ganguly's assertion. One of the best red-ball batters in World cricket right now, Sarfaraz boasts outstanding numbers in first-class cricket, but his performance in T20 matches is less impressive. Across 47 first-class games, the Mumbai-based batter has amassed 4056 runs at an impressive average of 68.74, including 14 centuries and 13 half-centuries.
In contrast, his record in 96 T20 matches is not so impressive, with 1188 runs scored at a modest average of 22.41 and a strike rate of 128.29. These figures contributed to Sarfaraz being overlooked by franchises during the IPL 2024 auction.
Despite the disappointment of scoring only 14 and 0 in the Ranchi Test, a slight setback following his impressive Test debut, Sarfaraz has commenced his international career on a positive trajectory.
He is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the fifth and final Test at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on March 7.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
