‘I have zero expectations’: Sarfaraz Khan ready for Bangladesh Tests but admits spot in playing XI is not guaranteed

India’s talented batter Sarfaraz Khan had to break the selection doors after performing consistently in the domestic circuit. Khan kept going strongly and churned out a truckload of runs for Mumbai to get his well-deserved spot in the Indian team.

He went on to make his Test debut in 2023 against England in the home conditions at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Khan, whose fitness has often been questioned, showed he was ready for the big stage, scoring a quickfire 62 off 66 runs in his maiden Test innings before he was sold down the river by Ravindra Jadeja.

Khan scored 200 runs in three Test matches against England at an average of 50 but he admitted the good performances in his maiden Test series will not be enough to guarantee his place in the Test team, come the two-match series against Bangladesh.

“I have zero expectations… But I’ll be ready if the opportunity arises. That is what I’ve been doing all along and I don’t see any reason to change that,” Sarfaraz told The Indian Express.

Khan has a brilliant first-class average of 68.53 and he has done a fantastic job for Mumbai.

“Some get a break very soon in their career. Some have to wait. In my case, I’m fortunate that it took time because I got to spend a lot of time in domestic cricket and that grind helped me become a better batsman,” Sarfaraz said.

“When I made my debut, for the first three deliveries I was nervous. But after that, I was in control. Whatever I used to do at the domestic level, I was doing the same in Test cricket. I was very clear in my mind. I wasn’t looking at the opposition or the bowler,” he added.

Khan added he is trying to follow the process and be ready for the Bangladesh series.

“I’m not looking at the Bangladesh series,” he said. “But I’ve to follow the process and be ready. This (playing matches) is very important for me. I’ve not had this level of practice in Mumbai because of the rains.”

India will play the first Test match against Bangladesh, starting on 19 September.