JOIN USIn a team beaming with superstars of world cricket, Sarfaraz Khan is quite literally a kid. Just 17 and still cutting his teeth in big-ticket cricket, the Mumbai batsman stole the spotlight in astounding fashion on Wednesday when he cracked a 21-ball 45.
While the knock not only made people take notice of his talent, it also presented the RCB think-tank an opportunity to put the budding youngster on the hot seat and give the big boys a break from addressing the media.
Shy, nervous and sweat dripping all over his face, the chubby Mumbai cricketer reluctantly climbed up to the podium with the media officer requesting that the questions be posed only in Hindi.
“I had been in one (press conference) during the (Under-19) World Cup (in 2014), so I’m not really scared,” said Sarfaraz when asked if he felt intimidated after the management told him about the press-do. “I was okay, but I wanted it to be in Hindi.”
Limiting his responses to just a sentence or two, Sarfaraz said Wednesday’s knock against Rajasthan Royals will do his confidence a world of good. “I got a lot of confidence from that knock. It’ll be beneficial for my future and for the team. I’m hoping more follows. Everyone has been supporting me.
“Dan sir (Daniel Vettori, the coach) asked me to continue playing in the same fashion. He said that I had played well and I shouldn’t overthink, but continue to play my cricket the way I did.”
Sarfaraz felt being part of an IPL team was a dream come true. “I didn’t think I would be part of an IPL team at the auction because I am only 17. I was really happy that I got picked, but didn’t think I’d get a game this year. But Dan sir gave me the opportunity to play in the XI, so it was nice.”
Even for established cricketers, playing alongside Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Mitchell Starc can be unnerving. The pressure to perform and making a name for yourself can be an arduous task, but Sarfaraz felt he had the skills to survive. “I’m a bit nervous that I might make mistakes, but I’ve practiced quite a bit which is why I can survive.”