Sarfaraz Khan’s 227 vs Hyderabad: A Timely Reminder for Agarkar and Gambhir?

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Sarfaraz Khan has just delivered an impressive performance in domestic cricket as he smashed a massive 227 runs off  219 balls against Hyderabad in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. This score came right after he was left out of the national Test team. His innings pushed his career average back above 60 and marked his 5,000th run.

With India's middle order currently struggling, Sarfaraz is forcing coach Gautam Gambhir and selector Ajit Agarkar to rethink their plans. His double century proves he is ready to help the national team solve its recent batting slump.

Dominance in the Face of Dejection

The match in Hyderabad was a total masterclass. When Sarfaraz started batting, Mumbai was in trouble at 82/3. He scored 45 runs off 39 balls against India star Mohammed Siraj.

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This was more than just a big score; it was a loud message to the selectors. He reached his double century in just 206 balls, while reaching a strike rate of 103.65, which is impressive. He stayed aggressive and never let the bowlers feel comfortable. His huge 249-run partnership with Siddhesh Lad saved Mumbai. By the time he was done, Mumbai declared at a massive 560 runs.

Why Is Sarfaraz Khan Being Ignored Despite a 63+ Average?

Most online sources only talk about his runs. However, fans want to know why he keeps getting dropped. Sarfaraz scored 150 against New Zealand in late 2024. Yet, he is still treated like a backup player.

There are three main reasons for this mystery:

  • Fitness Concerns: Some coaches still worry about his weight. Even though he has lost weight and plays long innings, they want him to be faster in the field.
  • The Search for All-Rounders: The team is looking for players who can both bat and bowl. Sarfaraz is a specialist batter. He often loses his spot to players like Nitish Kumar Reddy.
  • Spin Problems: Some critics say he struggles with very dry, spinning pitches. His latest double ton shows he has improved his footwork against spin. He used the sweep shot to dominate the Hyderabad spinners all day.
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The selectors now have a very difficult choice to make. Sarfaraz has dominated every format of the game this season. He has a double century in red-ball cricket and a hundred in T20s. This proves that his fitness is good enough for top-level sports. India needs to build a new team for the next World Test Championship. Ignoring a player with such a high average is now a very big risk.