A timely and personal recollection: This was a Mumbai-Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy group league match at Wankhede Stadium in 2019-20. The visiting side piled up 625. Mumbai didn’t seem to have a chance at 128/4. But there was a partnership, followed by another and then another. One batter was common in all three, remaining not out on 301, as Mumbai finished at 688/7.
Colleagues at the daily I then worked for were reluctant to carry this news, saying that such bravado on flat pitches doesn’t count. I had to reason, plead and fight to get this published, saying that not usually does 600-plus get overtaken in first-class cricket even on the flattest of pitches, and cracking a triple in such a chase in not commonplace either. The batter was Sarfaraz Khan.
It’s difficult to say what prompted former players to say that Sarfaraz’s 62 on Test debut against England in Rajkot enhances the value of Ranji Trophy — his cavalier batting or his years of toil with astonishing success sans reward in a competition which is pretty much accorded second-class citizen status in the mindscape of India’s countless cricket fanatics.
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Sarfaraz Khan dazzles on Test debut – Player of the Day | IND vs ENG
Sarfaraz Khan ensured that he made his Test debut memorable as he cracked a sublime half-century to introduce himself to international cricket.@CricSubhayan @Wowmomo4u#INDvENG #SarfarazKhan #IndiaVsEngland pic.twitter.com/HSH2ZQJwzt
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) February 15, 2024
Instead of getting into that, it can be said that this blazing innings perhaps ensures that performance in the Ranji Trophy still matters. Sarfaraz had to wait many years despite averaging in the region of 80-100 in each of the last few domestic seasons. Had the door still not opened, it would have been depressing for the players who labour day in and day out away from recognition or media attention.
“Keep grinding in domestic cricket, and your chance to shine for Team India will come. Sarfaraz Khan’s standout performance today is a testament to that. A well-deserved half-century!” posted former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan on his X handle after the first day’s play in the third Test.
Play Ranji Trophy and go home — this was becoming the norm. It has not been a widely-followed event in the last few decades and it got further devalued in the media tsunami surrounding the Indian Premier League. It was and is still called ‘India’s premier domestic competition’, but performance in the 89-year-old tournament was deemed insignificant compared to the IPL.
As far as batters go, there are a few who made it to the Test side recently despite not being standout Ranji performers. Suryakumar Yadav played a Test and was in the squad for a few more due to his exploits in the IPL and T20Is. Shreyas Iyer walked into the side when fit, despite being irregular in domestic games. Even Rajat Patidar doesn’t have an outstanding first-class record. But, they are IPL stars. Patidar’s ton in an IPL knockout game played a part in his selection, alongside his Ranji runs.
Compared to them, Sarfaraz is an IPL flop. Having represented three franchises, he seldom makes it to the XI. And if not seen punching air on TV, chances of national selection reduce. That he has been rewarded with a place in the Test XI solely because of his Ranji exploits is a fillip for the grand old tournament and the cricketers who take it seriously.
This was becoming a trend. Baba Indrajith of Tamil Nadu has been piling up runs consistently for years without even getting an India A call-up. Bengal’s Manoj Tiwary never made it, in spite of being a heavy domestic scorer until a few years ago. These are just two examples. It’s massive for players like them and many others that Sarfaraz ultimately didn’t have to suffer that fate.
His half-century will not bump up Ranji viewership. Nor will it make it a hugely popular tournament overnight. But, it might give players belief that toiling away from the spotlight is not a totally meaningless pursuit after all. If that happens, Sarfaraz’s determination and hunger to succeed will remain as a beacon of hope for these lesser mortals.
Also Read: Twin tons and Sarfaraz’s sparkle put India in good position on Day 1 in Rajkot