Star middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan scored a commanding century for the Ayush Mhatre-led Mumbai crew of their first match of the continued Buchi Babu Invitational Match. Sarfaraz, who has 371 runs in six Check matches for India, got here out to bat at No. 5 and scored 138 from 114 balls earlier than retiring damage on the Gojan Cricket Floor B towards TNCA XI on Monday, August 18. His innings included 10 fours and 6 sixes.
Throughout his keep on the crease, Sarfaraz constructed essential partnerships, including 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 profitable the toss and electing to bat first, posted over 350 runs. Openers Musheer Khan and Ayush Mhatre fell after getting begins, whereas Suved scored 72 off 121 balls with 5 fours and a six, and Aakash Parkar additionally crossed fifty.
Sarfaraz, who scored twin fifties on his Check debut towards England in Rajkot final 12 months and 150 within the second innings of the Bengaluru Check towards New Zealand in November 2024, was surprisingly neglected by BCCI selectors for the five-match Check sequence, first towards Australia after which in England. He’s anticipated to be again to the red-ball internationals as India host West Indies for a few Checks in October.
With a first-class batting common of 65.98 and improved health over current months, Sarfaraz’s century now strengthens his case for choice in India’s squad for the upcoming house sequence towards 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 task, the Mumbai batter will probably be seen representing the West Zone within the Duleep Trophy 2025, scheduled from August 28 to September 11. The crew will probably be led by Shardul Thakur and likewise contains key worldwide stars like Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad.