Former Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sarfaraz Khan to get a place in the playing eleven of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Ashwin said the five-time IPL champions should take advantage of Sarfaraz’s purple patch by giving him a regular role in the line-up.
Sarfaraz is consistently performing well in all tournaments. He scored a century and three half-centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, convincing CSK to sign him at his base price of Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The batsman continued that form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
CSK should pay attention to Sarfaraz Khan’s purple patch – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Sarfaraz Khan should start for Chennai Super Kings during the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Ashwin said that Sarfaraz has the ability to dominate spin bowling in the middle overs, especially through sweeps and slog sweeps.
Ashwin posted on Also eliminates spin in the middle overs.”
‘Evan Kadhav Thattala, Idichi Odachitu Irukan.’ (He’s not knocking the door; he’s breaking it down). CSK should surely ride out his purple patch by giving him a place in the playing XII? The abundance of bats is a real problem for men in yellow clothes this season! Can’t wait for IPL 2026!” He added.
100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in SMAT.
This form has seamlessly transitioned into Hazare scoring 55(49), followed by a blistering 157(75) with 14 sixes today. It is particularly impressive how he eliminates spin with his sweeps and slog sweeps in the middle overs.… pic.twitter.com/MfBWAD6QH8
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 31 December 2025
Sarfaraz Khan joins CSK after remaining unsold, eyes IPL return after 2023
Sarfaraz Khan initially remained unsold, but later Chennai Super Kings included him in their team. If he gets a game, it will be his first IPL appearance after playing for Delhi Capitals in 2023.
The Mumbai batsman expressed his gratitude to CSK for the opportunity and promised to give his best for the franchise. Sarfaraz is no stranger to the league, having previously represented Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings, before making his IPL debut for RCB in 2015.
In the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sarfaraz scored 329 runs at a remarkable average of 82.25 and strike rate of 204.34, including a century, making a strong case to play in the IPL again.
Sarfaraz Khan played a stormy inning of 157 runs for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Sarfaraz Khan played a sensational innings for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and thrashed Goa by scoring 157 runs in just 75 balls in Jaipur. Sarfaraz, who came at number four after the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, completely dominated the bowling attack of Goa.
The right-handed batsman completed his century in just 56 balls and scored a maximum of 150 runs at the start of the 42nd over. With his explosive innings, Mumbai made a huge score of 444 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs.
Sarfaraz also formed important partnerships during the innings, including big ones with his brother Mushir Khan, captain Shardul Thakur and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore. Musheer scored 60, while Tamore added 53, but it was Sarfaraz’s extraordinary innings that defined the match.
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