Once mocked for his fitness, the talented Indian batter is now turning heads with a chiseled physique, recalling Virat Kohli’s tough love and the journey from struggle to spotlight.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Incredible Fitness Journey Makes Waves Again
On July 21, Sarfaraz Khan returned to the spotlight—not for
his on-field heroics, but for his astonishing physical transformation. The
27-year-old Indian cricketer, often in the news for his fitness challenges over
the years, is now being widely praised for his new avatar, which he proudly
showcased in recent photos.
This isn’t Sarfaraz’s first fitness evolution. Around five
years ago, he underwent a similar transformation, one he attributed to the
influence of former Indian captain Virat Kohli. The Mumbai-born batter began
his IPL career in 2015 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), but after three
seasons, he was released and eventually picked up by Punjab Kings (PBKS) in
2019.
Virat Kohli’s Candid Advice That Changed Everything
Looking back at the turning point in his fitness journey,
Sarfaraz recalled the moment Virat Kohli gave him a reality check during the
2016 IPL season. Though his cricketing talent was never in question, Kohli made
it clear that a lack of fitness was the barrier preventing Sarfaraz from
achieving the next level in his career.
He openly admitted that being dropped from the RCB squad due
to fitness was a wake-up call. Kohli’s honest feedback—that skills were not the
issue but fitness was—struck a chord with Sarfaraz and led to a mindset shift.
During the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy season, his improved fitness
paid dividends as he piled on runs and silenced critics. Speaking on that
phase, Sarfaraz revealed how his teammates used to affectionately call him
‘Panda’ for his eating habits. But the nickname has now changed to ‘Macho’—a transformation
that reflects not just his physical state but his mental resolve as well.
Mixed Fortunes in the IPL and National Comeback
Despite consistently performing in domestic cricket,
Sarfaraz has struggled to find a firm foothold in the Indian Premier League. He
went unsold in the last two seasons after his stint with Delhi Capitals (DC) in
2023.
However, his perseverance finally paid off when he made his
long-awaited Test debut for India during the home series against England
earlier last year. He made an instant impact in the Rajkot Test, where he
scored half-centuries in both innings, helping India secure a mammoth 434-run
victory.
He continued to play the remaining two matches of the
series, registering another fifty in the final game as India clinched the
series 4-1. His rising graph hit another milestone when he smashed his maiden
Test century in the opening match of the home series against New Zealand.
Form Dips and Omission from England Tour
While the century against New Zealand was a high point,
Sarfaraz’s form didn’t hold steady. In the rest of the series, he could only
manage 21 runs across four innings. Though he was included in the squad for
India’s tour of Australia, he did not make it into the playing XI for any of
the five Test matches.
The struggle continued as he was excluded from the ongoing
England tour, where India currently trails the hosts 1-2 in the series.
A Story Still in Progress
Sarfaraz Khan’s journey is one of talent, resilience, and
transformation. From being written off due to fitness concerns to making an
impressive international debut, and now working his way back into contention,
his career remains a compelling watch. With determination carved into his
now-ripped frame, the Mumbai batter is far from done.
His story proves that sometimes, the toughest setbacks lay the foundation for the most powerful comebacks.
Tags: Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, weight loss, transformation, RCB, Indian team, England, Panda, Macho, IPL
No comments:
Post a Comment