Indian middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan continued his training despite missing the playing XI for the ongoing first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old cricketer used lunch and tea breaks to work on his batting and fielding as India strengthened their position on the opening day.
India, led by Shubman Gill, chose to bat first at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, August 15. They lost Yashasvi Jaiswal after a promising start. Devdutt Padikkal then joined KL Rahul and built a strong unbeaten partnership, taking India to 197/1 by the tea break and keeping the visitors in control.
Sarfaraz Khan Continues to Work on His Game During Breaks
Sarfaraz Khan continued his training despite missing the playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old used the lunch break to bat in the nets before rain interrupted proceedings. He later used the tea break to work on his fielding and took short catches.
"Sarfaraz Khan continues to work on his game. During the Lunch break, before the rain arrived, he was batting at the nets. Now, during the Tea break, he is taking short catches," Subhayan Chakraborty from RevSportz wrote on X.
Sarfaraz Khan continues to work on his game. During the Lunch break, before the rain arrived, he was batting at the nets. Now, during the Tea break, he is taking short catches. pic.twitter.com/J14vbPWx7F
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) August 15, 2026
Sarfaraz joined the squad as Sai Sudharsan's replacement and missed the warm-up match after arriving late. He has also worked hard on his fitness and reportedly lost 17kg over the past year.
Devdutt Padikkal Ends No.3 Drought With Maiden Test Century
Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul put together a big partnership after Yashasvi Jaiswal was run out for 32, with India reaching 197/1 at tea. Devdutt Padikkal made the most of his opportunity at No. 3 after India lost Jaiswal early.
He played positively alongside Rahul and reached his second Test fifty before completing his maiden Test century in 134 balls during the final session. Shubman Gill was the last Indian to score a Test hundred from that position, doing so against Bangladesh in Chennai in September 2024.
Since then, seven batters had occupied the No. 3 position across 19 Tests and averaged only 27.28. They had managed just five scores above fifty in 35 innings. Padikkal's century gave India another strong option in the top order.
Sarfaraz Khan's Test Career and Road Back to India XI
Sarfaraz Khan last played a Test for India during the 2024 home series against New Zealand. He was later part of the squad for the Australia tour but did not play a match before spending time away from the national setup.
The Mumbai batter returned to the Test squad after a 19-month gap when Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series. Sarfaraz had also been working on his fitness during that period and made notable progress after facing criticism over his physical condition.
He has played six Tests for India so far, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10 with one century and three half-centuries. The young batter can make an impact when given a regular opportunity.
Sarfaraz did not make the XI in Galle. Devdutt Padikkal took the No. 3 role after scoring an unbeaten 142 in the warm-up match. Sarfaraz will now look to stay prepared and make his next opportunity count.
