Sarfaraz Khan starts preparation for the Border Gavaskar Trophy after phenomenal scores in the Test match against New Zealand

Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) will be between India and Australia, beginning November 22.

Sarfaraz Khan made all the headlines, scoring his maiden century against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He scored 150 off 195 balls with a strike rate of 76.92, smashing 18 fours and 3 sixes during his time on the crease. The right-handed batter, known for scoring big in domestic cricket, also showed his prowess in international cricket. He has already started preparations for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting on November 22 against Australia.

Sarfaraz Khan taking help from a chef for his fitness.

Sarfaraz Khan is now taking help from a chef, suggested by wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, to get fitter for the nearly two-month-long five-match Test series in Australia. Suryakumar Yadav, who has seen Sarfaraz from close quarters, revealed that it was Rishabh Pant who provided the 26-year-old with a chef to get fitter. Sarfaraz Khan had made his Ranji debut under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.

What did Suryakumar Yadav say about Sarfaraz working on his fitness?

Speaking to Indian Express, Suryakumar Yadav said, “Sarfaraz is working on his fitness with the Indian team strength and conditioning coach and Rishabh (Pant) has provided him with a chef who is taking care of his food. The intent is that by the time he reaches Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, his body is in a better shape. Fitness is important in this sport as he gets older, body will change. He is working hard now, he will be fine in future.”

Criticism of Sarfaraz Khan’s fitness.

Sarfaraz Khan has been criticized for his fitness in the past. Suryakumar Yadav labeled it as an “unfair perception.” He said, “His body type might make him look fat but if you ask him to bat 450 balls, score double hundred, triple hundred, daddy hundred, he has that skill. I think the team has a similar demand to make big hundreds, play game changing knocks… I have never seen him skipping practice even on match day. If there is a game, he will get up at 5 am, bat for one hour near his home, and then join the team bus. After the game, he will go to the nearby ground and bat again.”

Sunil Gavaskar comes out in support of Sarfaraz Khan.

Sunil Gavaskar said, “If you are looking for only slim and trim guys, then might as well go to a fashion show and find some other models and give a bat and ball in their hands and then improve them. That’s not the way cricket goes. You have cricketers in all shapes and sizes. Don’t go by the size; go by the scores or wickets. He is not staying off the field when he scores a hundred. He is back on the field again. So, all that tells you is that the man is fit.”