Sarfaraz Khan credits iconic player to motivate him for transformation

The Indian middle-order batter, Sarfaraz Khan, has grabbed the headlines recently after several reports claimed that he had lost 17 kg in a little more than two months. The 27-year-old, who had been dropped from the Test side even after his 150-run knock in Bengaluru against New Zealand, didn’t make it into the Australia and England trip.

The former RCB batter, during a recent interaction with Times Now, highlighted the progress of the formation and credited the former captain, Virat Kohli, for his transformation. He addressed Kohli’s words on how the Delhi-born spoke about having no doubts over his skills, but on the fitness department.

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‘I was dropped at RCB in 2016 because of my fitness. Virat Kohli bhaiya told me straightaway that while there were no doubts over my skills, my fitness was not letting me get to the next level. Virat bhaiya was very honest with me about where I was.’ Sarfaraz Khan expressed to Time Now. His eyes will be on the red-ball team for the two-match home series against West Indies and South Africa later on.

Sarfaraz Khan credits Virat Kohli for motivation in transformation

The 27-year-old has smashed 371 runs in 11 innings in the five-day format at an average of 37.10 and a strike rate of nearly 75 with the help of three fifties and one century. In the first-class format, the right-handed batter has clubbed 4685 runs in 83 innings at an average of 65.98 and a strike rate of 70.85, shouldering 15 half-centuries and 16 centuries at the best score of unbeaten 301 runs.

‘I felt good not just about my improved fitness but because it helped me score runs & get a lead. At one point, all my teammates used to call me 'Panda' because I used to eat a lot. Now, they've started calling me 'Macho'. Very few people know it's my nickname now.’ Sarfaraz shed light during this interaction.

Shockingly, a batter of his stature with an average of more than 65 hasn’t been a regular member of the Indian red-ball side. But the team is yet to find their number three as Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan couldn’t do much with the bat in England. Could Sarfaraz be the answer to the position? For that, first, he would need to get into the squad and play in the eleven.