India batter Sarfaraz Khan is not happy with his continued snub from the national team. He sometimes questions the need to work hard to play at the highest level, nearly two years after his last appearance for the Indian team. However, his father Naushad continues to work hard for him, which remains his motivation.

The right-handed batter opened up on his career after amassing 55 for Mumbai on the first day of the Ranji Trophy match against Railways at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Monday. His absence from India’s Test team has been questioned by former players.

“Whenever I wake up in the morning, I question the need to work hard and repeat the same thing again and again. I have played for the country. I get up at 5 am for practice. I am still playing, but sometimes that question comes to my mind,” he said.

“When I see my father working hard for me, I want to be among the runs for him. This is the only thing that motivates me.”

Sarfaraz and his younger brother Musheer Khan are trained by their father Naushad Khan, who has played a big role in their careers. His recent statement highlights the battle that goes on while pushing to play for India after already representing the country in international cricket.

“Everyone knows that they can meet me at the Azad Maidan or the Cross Maidan at 6:00 am. They don’t need to come to my home,” he added.

Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England in February 2024 after impressing in domestic cricket. In six Tests, he has amassed 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three fifties. His highest score of 150 came against New Zealand in 2024.

His last international game was against New Zealand in Mumbai in November 2024. He was a part of the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia but did not get a game. He replaced injured Sai Sudharsan for India’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka but was benched.

Sarfaraz further revealed that he had heard that he would get chances in home Tests. He questioned the need for this approach and pointed to his form in overseas matches while playing for India A.

“When I was with the Indian team, I heard that I would play more in home conditions. When I went to Africa, I amassed 100 runs in 60 balls. In England, I scored 100 runs off 60 balls,” he said,

“You get big rank turners in India. You struggle to get into the starting XI, and you are expected to score runs on difficult pitches. I have scored runs outside India. That’s their point of view, but my job is to play cricket.”

Sarfaraz was pointing to his two hundreds in India A intra-squad matches. His century came against the senior Indian side in Pretoria in December 2023 ahead of the Test series in South Africa. In June 2025, he posted 101 off 76 balls during the team’s preparations for the five-Test series against England.

On Monday, Sarfaraz’s 55 off 100 balls took Mumbai’s total to 247 for six at stumps.  Angkrish Raghuvanshi made 78, while captain Siddhesh Lad scored 47.