The story of Sarfaraz Khan’s challenges and hard work has impacted everyone. Sarfaraz, 26, was given his debut in the third Test against England in Rajkot on Thursday as a reward for his outstanding local play.
Sarfaraz received his Test cap from former captain Anil Kumble, with his teary-eyed father, Naushad Khan, and wife watching.
And Sarfaraz made a remarkable Test debut by smashing 62 runs off 66 balls before being run out.
Sarfaraz has been pounding on the selectors’ doors for more than three years, scoring in the Ranji Trophy with a first-class average of over 69 in 45 matches and a top of 301 not out.
Sarfaraz rose to prominence in 2009 after scoring a school cricket record 439 runs, but his career was marred by setbacks and controversy.
Naushad Khan always advised Sarfaraz to work hard, believe in himself, and be patient, even when he was continually ignored by the selectors.
Sarfaraz made a lot of runs in domestic cricket year after year before receiving his first call-up ahead of the second Test in Vizag and making his debut in Rajkot.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, was moved by the father-son duo’s hard work and shared a video posted by the BCCI in which Naushad Khan says Sarfaraz’s example illustrates that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Anand Mahindra, famed for giving his company’s SUVs to potential athletes who have gotten to the top by sheer hard work and dedication, expressed a wish to give Sarfaraz Khan’s father Naushad Khan a Thar SUV.
