Former India batter Sarfaraz Khan’s was acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 75 lakh in the mini auction yesterday in Abhu Dhabi after being unsold in the the first round.
The moment was especially poignant for Sarfaraz who was recently in the news for his dramatic body transformation where he reportedly lost 17 kgs in three months to boost his chances of playing for the national side.
Srafaraz’s transformation had even generated a debate online as many netizens felt that the batter had been overlooked both in the IPL and at the international level by the BCCI despite consistent domestic performances.
73 of 22: Sarfaraz’s current form
Just hours before the auction began on Tuesday, Sarfaraz had given selectors and franchises a demonstration of his hitting ability by smashing a 22-ball 73 in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Following his acquisition by CSK yesterday, Sarfaraz took to social media to express his gratitude to the club for giving him a much needed second chance.
“Thank you so much, CSK for giving me a new life. I will make sure CSK will lift the 2026 title,” the Mumbai batter wrote on his Instagram page. The hard-hitting middle-order batter last featured in the IPL for the Delhi Capitals in 2023 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
He failed to find buyers in the two seasons after that. The batter also failed to secure a spot in the national team for any format despite relatively consistent domestic performances. The right-hander has been in fine form in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 329 runs at an average of 82.25 and a strike rate of 204.34, with a century to his name.
Sarfraz’s career in numbers
A big name in the domestic circuit Sarafaraz has had an illustrious IPL career. Appearing for 50+ IPL matches, the batter has racked up more than 585 runs in the tournament since his debut in 2015. Boasting an average strike rate of 130, Sarafaraz has a personal best of 67 in the limited overs showcase.
He has also played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in past IPL editions. Sarfaraz made his IPL debut for RCB in 2015. Sarfaraz has represented India in six Test matches, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10 and strike rate of 74.94 with 150 being his highest score.