Sarfaraz Khan to get an IPL contract after his Test debut? Aakash Chopra reveals which team will pick the young batsman

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra who is on commentary duty for the India Vs England Test series, feels Sarfaraz Khan would have got an IPL contract if the auction took place around the time of his debut. Chopra made this claim during a session break on day 2 of the 5th Test after seeing Sarfaraz score his 3rd half-century of the series.

Sarfaraz Khan had a dream debut and one to remember when he was handed with maiden Test cap in the 3rd match at Rajkot. He became one of those exclusive cricketers to have scored fifties across innings on debut. The 26-year-old who grinded hard in Ranji Trophy to get an India call-up, grabbed the opportunity with both hands when it came.

Aakash Chopra opines on Sarfaraz Khan’s IPL contract snub

Sarfaraz Khan had spent the last IPL season (2023) with the Delhi Capitals but he was released ahead of the 2024 edition’s player auctions. He was given just 4 matches to play in which he scored a total of 53 runs with a highest of 30. When his name came up in the auction at Dubai’s Coca-Cola arena, Sarfaraz could not find any buyer as he remained unsold.

He wasn’t brought back by any IPL franchise later in the auction and as of now, he is a free agent who can come in, any time a franchise needs. Exactly a month after failing to get an IPL deal, Sarfaraz was over the moon when the India call-up came at last and he debuted in the 3rd Test against England which eventually ended up as India’s biggest ever Test match win.

He had scores of 62 and 68 in the 1st and 3rd innings and played the finishing role with Yashasvi Jaiswal in setting up a mammoth 557-run target. Then in the 4th Test, the Mumbai batter got a little unlucky as he departed for 14 and 0 but yesterday during India’s 1st innings with the bat, the 26-year-old scored a comeback fifty at Dharamshala.

After his fifty when India and England went for the Tea break, broadcaster Aakash Chopra was asked to shed light upon Sarfaraz Khan not getting an IPL deal. To that, Chopra explained that if the auction was tomorrow then teams would have rallied to buy him.

“I am personally not that surprised, or I would say that I am as surprised as I am with the fact that Pat Cummins got 20.50 crore rupees. Recency bias is a very important thing. If the auction had been tomorrow, he would have got a contract.” – Aakash Chopra said via Jio Cinema.

“However, the auction should be dependent on how you have played in the last five to seven years in that format and in that tournament. Sarfaraz had a contract since he was 18 years old. He has played for two or three franchises.” – Chopra added.

Chopra says no one was surprised to see Sarfaraz go unsold

Aakash Chopra went on to say that no one was surprised to see Sarfaraz Khan go unsold in the 2024 IPL auction, claiming that he hasn’t got as many opportunities. It will be interesting to see if Sarfaraz makes a surprise return in the tournament in case a team requires an injury replacement.

“Let’s be honest, he hasn’t got those many opportunities. However, we weren’t surprised when no one picked him in the auction and that’s why there was no discussion as well at that time.” – Chopra concluded.