Sarfaraz Khan strengthens comeback case with unbeaten century in Buchi Babu tournament

Star middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan scored a commanding century for the Ayush Mhatre-led Mumbai team in their first match of the ongoing Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament. Sarfaraz, who has 371 runs in six Test matches for India, came out to bat at No. 5 and scored 138 from 114 balls before retiring hurt at the Gojan Cricket Ground B against TNCA XI on Monday, August 18. His innings included 10 fours and six sixes.

During his stay at the crease, Sarfaraz built crucial partnerships, adding 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Suved Parkar in 91 balls and a 129-run stand for the sixth wicket with Aakash Parkar in 128 balls. Mumbai, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, posted over 350 runs. Openers Musheer Khan and Ayush Mhatre fell after getting starts, while Suved scored 72 off 121 balls with five fours and a six, and Aakash Parkar also crossed fifty.

Sarfaraz, who scored twin fifties on his Test debut against England in Rajkot last year and 150 in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand in November 2024, was surprisingly overlooked by BCCI selectors for the five-match Test series, first against Australia and then in England. He is expected to be back to the red-ball internationals as India host West Indies for a couple of Tests in October.

With a first-class batting average of 65.98 and improved fitness over recent months, Sarfaraz’s century now strengthens his case for selection in India’s squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies and South Africa. India will face the West Indies from October 2–14 in Ahmedabad and Delhi, and South Africa from November 14–18 in Kolkata and November 22–26 in Guwahati.

After the Buchi Babu assignment, the Mumbai batter will be seen representing the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025, scheduled from August 28 to September 11. The team will be led by Shardul Thakur and also includes key international stars like Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad.