R Ashwin makes bold statement on Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan has been unstoppable in domestic cricket and veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the Chennai Super Kings to give regular chances to the young Indian batter in the Indian Premier League 2026. Sarfaraz scored 157 off 75 balls against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) match, laced with 14 sixes, showing his talent.

Sarfaraz reached his century in just 56 balls. Ashwin also highlighted Sarfaraz’s performance in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he accumulated 329 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80.

“100 (47), 52 (40), 64 (25), 73 (22) in the SMAT. That form has transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55 (49) followed by a blistering 157 (75) today with 14 sixes. It’s particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps. ‘Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.’ (He is not knocking on the door, he is breaking it open.) CSK should look at riding his purple patch by slotting him into the Playing XI surely? A genuine problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellow this season! Can’t wait for IPL 2026,” R Ashwin wrote on X.