Sarfaraz Khan is that one name that comes up whenever people talk about players who should be given a chance. He has scored runs galore in domestic cricket and has proved his batting prowess.
But there was one big question mark about him: his fitness. Now, Sarfaraz has answered his critics with an amazing body transformation.
Teammates used to call him panda because of his build and love for food. Things got serious in 2016 when he was dropped from the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. Virat Kohli was the one who delivered the news, giving Sarfaraz a reality check rather than a scolding.
In a 2020 interview, Sarfaraz said that Virat told him his fitness was holding him back from reaching the next level, even though his skills were evident. That was a wake up call for him.
Sarfaraz started his IPL career in 2015 under Virat Kohli. It was a dream start for a young player. But talent alone wasn’t enough in a team that prioritised fitness. Kohli’s dedication to training influenced Sarfaraz. The real change happened during the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy season where he scored runs and looked fitter and more agile.
He even joked about his change, saying that people used to call him panda, but now he is macho.
Recently, photos of Sarfaraz’s latest fitness transformation have gone viral. He has lost weight and gained muscle. He is not in the current Test squad against England but his new look has everyone talking.
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This change has been years in the making. His father and coach, Naushad Khan, said that his son changed everything about his lifestyle, from eating habits to training. Sarfaraz is in it for the long haul and this could be his chance again.
Virat Kohli’s straight forward feedback may have been hard to hear then but it motivated Sarfaraz. His transformation is all about his mindset. Sarfaraz looks not just fitter but also more eager, smarter and more focused. His performances in India A tours and domestic cricket have kept him in contention. Now that fitness is no longer a weakness, he might just get that India call up.
