Following Sarfaraz Khan’s electrifying performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is advocating for Chennai Super Kings to integrate the explosive Mumbai batter into their regular playing XI for IPL 2026. Sarfaraz has demonstrated exceptional form in domestic white-ball cricket, significantly enhancing his profile beyond his red-ball credentials.
**Sarfaraz’s Blistering 157 Powers Mumbai to Victory**
Sarfaraz showcased a remarkable innings against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashing an incredible 157 runs from just 75 balls. His aggressive display, featuring nine boundaries and a staggering 14 sixes, completely overwhelmed the opposition bowlers. This stellar performance propelled Mumbai to a commanding 87-run victory.
**CSK’s Strategic Investment in Sarfaraz**
This dominant knock solidifies Sarfaraz’s position, especially after Chennai Super Kings acquired him at his base price of Rs 75 lakh during the IPL 2026 auction. This move provides the batter with a crucial opportunity after limited game time in recent IPL seasons. Ashwin, impressed by Sarfaraz’s consistent high-level performances and aggressive intent, took to social media to passionately argue for his inclusion in CSK’s starting lineup.
**Sustained Form Across T20 and One-Day Formats**
Ashwin also highlighted Sarfaraz’s consistent brilliance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he accumulated 329 runs across seven matches at an exceptional strike rate of 203.08, averaging 65.80. Ashwin believes Sarfaraz’s prowess against spin bowling in the middle overs makes him a significant asset for the Chennai franchise. He noted Sarfaraz’s ability to ‘murder spin’ with his innovative sweeps, urging CSK to capitalize on his current peak form and potentially slot him into the playing XI, creating a ‘problem of plenty’ for the team.
