Key points
- Sarfaraz Khan scored 55 off 100 balls for Mumbai against Railways on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at Brabourne Stadium on November 2, 2026.
- Mumbai closed Day 1 at 247 for 6 after being put in to bat; Angkrish Raghuvanshi top-scored with 78 and Himanshu Sangwan took three wickets for Railways.
- Sarfaraz was not selected for India's A squad for the three four-day matches against New Zealand, despite having been included in India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour in August as an injury replacement.
- Sarfaraz said he expected to be considered for selection but stressed that his responsibility was to keep playing cricket and scoring runs.
- He said he had heard selectors were considering him more for Indian conditions, while pointing to his India A performances in South Africa and England.
- Sarfaraz's first three innings in the 2026-27 Ranji season were 1, 154 and 40; his 55 against Railways took his season average to 62.50, according to reporting.
Sarfaraz Khan returned to the domestic grind with Mumbai after missing out on India's A squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, scoring 55 against Railways in the Ranji Trophy on November 2. The middle-order batter's innings came at the Brabourne Stadium, where Mumbai closed the opening day of their Elite Group D fixture at 247 for six after being asked to bat.
The 29-year-old also spoke about the disappointment of not being selected, his continued belief in his game and the daily work that has kept him in the domestic circuit. His message was that selection remained outside his control, while continuing to play and score runs was his responsibility.
A half-century after the India A omission
Sarfaraz made 55 from 100 balls, striking seven fours, in an innings that helped steady Mumbai after a mid-innings wobble. Angkrish Raghuvanshi led the scoring with 78, while Siddhesh Lad contributed 47. Railways' Himanshu Sangwan took three wickets as the visitors kept Mumbai from turning a promising start into a much larger first-innings total.
Mumbai's openers had put together a century stand before Railways fought back after lunch. Sarfaraz and Lad then added a useful partnership to rebuild the innings. Sarfaraz's dismissal was followed by further quick wickets, leaving Mumbai at 247 for six at stumps.
The innings continued a productive start to Sarfaraz's Ranji season. After scores of 1, 154 and 40 in his first three innings, the 55 against Railways took his season average to 62.50, according to reports from the match.
Selection disappointment, but focus on playing
Sarfaraz had hoped to be included in the India A squad for the three four-day matches against New Zealand, which form part of the preparation pathway for the senior team's Test assignments. He was not selected, despite having been added to India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour in August as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan. He did not play in either Test on that tour.
Speaking after the first day's play, Sarfaraz acknowledged that he had expectations when the squad was announced. He said, however, that selection was the selectors' decision and that his own task was to keep playing cricket. He also indicated that he had heard he was being considered more for opportunities in Indian conditions, although he said the selectors had not communicated that directly to him.
The batter pointed to his performances for India A in overseas conditions, including in South Africa and England, as evidence that he had scored runs away from home as well. Reported figures show he has made 300 runs in seven first-class matches for India A outside India, averaging 50 with three half-centuries.
The routine behind the domestic run-scoring
Sarfaraz described the difficulty of returning to domestic cricket season after season and having to build his case again. He said he had maintained the same approach that helped him progress through the ranks, continuing to train during the off-season rather than taking an extended break.
His routine has long involved early-morning practice in Mumbai. Reports quoted him saying that he can often be found at Azad Maidan or Cross Maidan around 6 am. He also spoke about the role his father, Naushad, has played in keeping him motivated through the demanding stretches of his career.
Sarfaraz has also made changes to his fitness. He revealed that he lost 20 kilograms, moving from 97 kg to 77 kg, as a personal decision after hearing comments about his weight. He clarified that the change was not imposed by the team management, but was something he chose to work on himself.
A Test career still in view
Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England in February 2024 after building a formidable record in domestic cricket. He has played six Tests and scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three half-centuries. His highest score is 150, made against New Zealand in Bengaluru in October 2024.
His last appearance for India came against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in November 2024. He was part of India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia but did not feature in a Test, before being named as a replacement for the Sri Lanka series in 2026.
For now, Sarfaraz's route back runs through domestic cricket. His 55 against Railways was not a match-winning hundred, but it was another contribution in a season in which he has already produced a century. With Mumbai still building their first innings, his immediate focus remains on the Ranji Trophy and on making every opportunity count.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Sarfaraz Khan in the news during the Ranji Trophy match against Railways?
Sarfaraz returned to Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign after being left out of India's A squad for the upcoming New Zealand series. He scored 55 off 100 balls on the opening day against Railways at Brabourne Stadium and spoke about his motivation and hopes of earning another India opportunity.
How many runs did Sarfaraz Khan score against Railways?
Sarfaraz made 55 from 100 deliveries for Mumbai against Railways on November 2, 2026. His innings included seven fours and helped Mumbai recover after losing wickets in a cluster, before the side finished the day at 247 for six.
What did Sarfaraz Khan say about his India A omission?
Sarfaraz said he had expectations whenever a team was announced, but accepted that selection was in the selectors' hands. He said his job was to keep playing cricket, scoring runs and taking opportunities wherever they came, rather than dwell on the omission.
What is Sarfaraz Khan's record for India A outside India?
Sarfaraz has scored 300 runs in seven first-class matches for India A outside India, at an average of 50, including three half-centuries. He referred to those performances in South Africa and England while discussing the perception that he was being considered mainly for Indian conditions.
How has Sarfaraz Khan performed in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season?
Before the Railways match, Sarfaraz's first three innings of the season were 1, 154 and 40. His 55 against Railways took his average for the season to 62.50, according to reports after the opening day's play in Mumbai.