Sarfaraz Khan is set to join the India squad for the New Zealand series and miss Mumbai’s opening match of the Ranji Trophy against Baroda.
Sarfaraz smashed a match-winning 222* runs not out in the Irani Cup triumph last week, and will be at the National Cricket Academy. His double hundred during the contest in Lucknow, helped Ajinkya-led side lift the trophy after 27 years.
The Mumbai selectors picked the squad for their first two matches. Defending champions Mumbai face Baroda in an away fixture from October 11, while they face Maharastra at home on October 18 which will coincide with India-New Zealand’s first test in Bengaluru from October 16.
Sarfaraz Khan made a strong impression during his debut series against England earlier this year. KL Rahul was considered for the Bangladesh series but Sarfaraz Khan will be considered as a backup as a rotational backup.
The right-hand batter has been piling on runs in the domestic circuit for ages but had to wait for an opportunity at the international level. He has hardly put a foot wrong in FC cricket, which has helped him to overcome the likes of Shreyas Iyer to be part of the Indian squad.
Sarfaraz Khan must continue to exercise patience, with our senior member KL Rahul currently the main choice for the No.5 position. The latter scored a half-century in the second test against Bangladesh in Kanpur to head into the New Zealand series with his place intact.
Currently, New Zealand secured the 6th position while India remains in the top position of the WTC points table.
The first match of the India-New Zealand test series will begin on October 16 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Mumbai Squad for Ranji Trophy 2025: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhessh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (WK), Sidhaant Addhatrao (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Mohd. Junaid Khan, Royston Dias.
