There’s a saying that ‘good things take time’ or ‘good things never come easy’.

Sarfaraz Khan from the bustling streets of Mumbai, finally has received his maiden Test call-up. The call-up not only he was waiting for, but the one the whole of India was waiting for. The fans are all powered up after hearing the news of Sarfaraz’s inclusion in the ongoing Test series against England, as KL Rahul has suffered a blow and been ruled out of the second Test.

How has patience transformed Sarfaraz Khan into a consistent performer in the longest format?

The 26-year-old, Sarfaraz Khan has done everything in his capacity to earn that maiden Test call-up, but in a country of over 1.4 billion people where every other person aspires to become a cricketer, it is merely possible to make it to the playing eleven. But after doing the hard yards for all these years, the Mumbaikar has finally arrived at the grandest stage. 

Sarfaraz was recognized as a prodigy in the Under-19 World Cup 2014, where he smashed 211 runs with an amazing average of over 70. He was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

With his 45 off just 21 deliveries against Rajasthan Royals, he made an immediate impact in the cricketing world and even forced Virat Kohli to applaud him and his mastery of hitting shots over the third-man and wicket-keeper. 

Being just 17 years old and the youngest to feature in IPL at that time, Sarfaraz could see his future shaping up in the Indian colours in the next couple of years, but the universe had different plans for him and wanted him to be a great batter in the longest format, which is yet to be proven at the greatest stage. 

With nearly 4000 first-class runs under his belt in just 66 innings, Sarfaraz has proved himself at the domestic level in the last couple of years, scoring double-centuries and even a triple-century, no wonder why the whole of India was rooting for his maiden Test call-up. Having an average of nearly 70 in first-class cricket is what makes him stand out from others, and finally, the queue he was standing in has taken him to the door, where it all gets bigger from here on. 

Even for India A, Safaraz Khan has been outstanding and recently smashed 161 in the unofficial Test against England Lions. Now that he has received the much-awaited call-up, all he has to do is just go out there and enjoy the game and support of the fans, who have been supporting him all this while.

With the absence of Kohli, KL Rahul and Jadeja, Sarfaraz can possibly make the cut and feature in the upcoming second Test.