‘He is not knocking the door, he is breaking it open’ Ashwin is infatuated with Sarfaraz, made this special appeal to CSK

By Samira Vishwas On Jan 2, 2026

Sarfaraz Khan, who plays for Mumbai, is currently seen on fire in domestic cricket. On Wednesday (December 31), against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, he played a stormy innings of 157 runs in just 75 balls, which included 14 sixes. After this explosive performance, former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Sarfaraz.

Ashwin gave a big statement on X(earlier Twitter) regarding Sarfaraz Khan’s recent form. He wrote that in the recently played Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, Sarfaraz’s scores were 100*, 52, 64 and 73 and now the same form is visible in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 also. In the Hazare Trophy 2025-26 played so far, 8 not out, 55 runs and now an inning of 157 in 3 innings is proof that Sarfaraz is not knocking on any door, but is coming inside after breaking it.

Taking the name of Chennai Super Kings, Ashwin said that the team should take advantage of this purple patch of Sarfaraz Khan and include him in the playing eleven. He also said that this season CSK will have plenty of options in batting and he is eagerly waiting for IPL 2026.

100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT.
That form’s 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.… pic.twitter.com/MfBWAD6QH8
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025

It is noteworthy that Sarfaraz Khan did not initially find any buyer in the IPL 2026 auction, but later CSK included him in their team at the base price of Rs 75 lakh. If he gets a chance, it will be his first return to IPL after 2023. Before this he has played for Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings.

Sarfaraz Khan has scored 585 runs in the 50 matches played so far in IPL, in which his strike rate has been more than 130. The IPL record may not have been very strong, but in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, he has scored 329 runs, that too with an average of over 82 and a strike rate above 200. In such a situation, all eyes will be on Sarfaraz Khan in IPL 2026.