No Roti, rice in Khan household as Sarfaraz Khan channels inner-Virat Kohli in comeback bid | Cricket News

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Sarfaraz Khan sheds 10 kg, adopts Virat Kohli-like fitness routine, and eyes Test comeback as India A face England Lions in unofficial Tests.

Sarfaraz Khan prepares for England tour with weight loss. (Image via @CricCrazyJohns ‘X’)

New Delhi: Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan has been one of Mumbai’s most consistent domestic cricketers, but his opportunities on the international level have come in patches. The right-hander batter scored a stunning 150 runs knock against New Zealand in Bengaluru, but he was still benched in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite his ability to bat long and take advantage of opportunities, one of Sarfaraz’s most constant criticisms he received is around his weight.

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Sarfaraz’s father and coach, Naushad Khan, revealed the batter’s disciplined transformation. For the past 1.5 years, Sarfaraz has completely cut out roti and rice from his diet. Instead, his meals consist of broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, leafy salads, grilled chicken and fish, boiled eggs, green tea, and green coffee, sacrificing even his beloved biryani.

Inspired by Virat Kohli’s fitness revolution, Sarfaraz has embraced a similarly strict regime. “We eat avocados and sprouts. But the main thing is, we’ve stopped eating roti, rice, sugar, maida, and bakery products,” Naushad shared. He added that the whole family is following a similar path; he himself lost 12 kg, as advised by doctors before his knee surgery.

Sarfaraz eyes return to playing XI

Sarfaraz’s training regime is equally intense. Every morning, he and his father leave their home at 5:30 AM to train at Mumbai’s Cross Maidan, 15 km away. By 6:30 AM, they begin their red-ball batting drills, which go on till 10:30 AM. After breakfast and rest, afternoon sessions are held on the artificial turf at their home, where Sarfaraz faces 300–500 swing deliveries daily.

“If we get time after batting, we go to the gym at BKC. If not batting in the evening, we still make sure to go for swimming and gym sessions,” said Naushad. The aim is clear to get match-fit and fine-tuned for England’s swinging conditions.

Sarfaraz made his Test debut in February 2024 against England and has played six matches so far, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having stepped away from Test cricket, two crucial batting slots have opened up. While captain Shubman Gill is likely to take it, Sarfaraz is firmly in the conversation to replace Kohli in the middle order.

The India A team will face the England Lions in two unofficial Tests—first in Canterbury from May 30 to June 2, and the second in Northampton from June 6 to 9. Following that, India A will play an intra-squad match with the senior men’s side in Beckenham from June 13 to 16.

Sarfaraz has given up his favourite food and completely overhauled his lifestyle all in pursuit of earning a permanent spot in India’s Test XI. Whether he can replicate the impact of Virat Kohli remains to be seen. But one thing is certain that Sarfaraz Khan has the hunger, the fire, and the grit to silence his critics once and for all.

Fiza Narwal

Fiza Narwal is a passionate sports enthusiast and former tennis player. As a budding sports journalist, she infuses her love of the game into her writing. She enjoys capturing the spirit of athleticism as well as the human tales that underlie the triumphs and setbacks on the field.

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