5km run, gym, batting: How Sarfraz maintained his fitness despite not playing cricket for 5 months

After making his debut in the India-England Test series in February, the Indian domestic run-scoring veteran Sarfaraz Khan He has not played a competitive match for the last five months. The 26-year-old batsman last played in the fifth and final Test of the series, where he scored 56 runs off just 60 balls in India’s only innings. Sarfraz – who had to wait a long time before his Test debut – is unlikely to find a place in the middle order for India, as Virat Kohli And KL Rahul Ready to make a comeback. Nevertheless, the batsman has worked hard and aims to score runs in the ongoing Bucchi. Baboo Cricket tournament.

“There is no such thing as off-season for me,” Sarfraz said. Indian ExpressTalking about his fitness regime, he said, “I used to wake up at 4.15 am and by 4.30 am I would start the day with a long distance run. This was very helpful in improving my fitness as by the end of the month I was able to run 5 kilometres in half an hour.”

“…Once I finished my run, I would go to the gym. So, the first half of the day was dedicated to fitness and fielding practice. Batting work would start in the evening,” Sarfraz said.

Sarfraz faced widespread criticism due to his bulky physique and fitness concerns prior to selection, but he soon put all doubts to rest, scoring over 200 runs in his first three Tests.

India’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 ​​cycle will continue with two Test matches against Bangladesh in September, so a place in the XI is not certain. However, Sarfaraz is ready to work hard first. Sarfaraz is representing Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Invitational Cricket Tournament 2024, before which he will play for India B in the Duleep Trophy.

Sarfraz explained why match practice is more important for him.

“I haven’t got that level of practice in Mumbai because of the rain. You are just facing bowling machines, side-arm throwers or sometimes bowlers in indoor facilities. But I don’t like indoor batting as the ball comes on the bat easily. It is not the same on turf as it will challenge you a lot,” Sarfaraz said.

Sarfraz, who will wait until February 2024 to make his Test debut despite averaging nearly 70 in first-class cricket, has said he approaches the games without any expectations.

He said, “I don’t have any expectations… but if the opportunity comes I will be ready. This is what I have been doing and I don’t see any reason to change it.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)