Early Exit Marks Tough Start for Mumbai Batter
Mumbai’s seasoned batter Sarfaraz Khan faced a disappointing return to First-Class cricket as he was dismissed without scoring on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season. Taking place at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, Wednesday’s clash saw Sarfaraz fall for a duck in just three deliveries, marking a subdued comeback following his recovery from a quadriceps injury.
A Challenging Comeback After Injury
Having been sidelined due to an injury sustained during the Buchi Babu tournament, Sarfaraz missed the Duleep Trophy and was eager to restart his domestic campaign. Surprisingly pushed up the order to open the innings—an unfamiliar position for him—Sarfaraz struggled to settle into rhythm in the cold Srinagar morning.
Auqib Nabi Strikes Early for Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, who had a standout season in 2024–25, continued his rich form by removing Sarfaraz in his very first over. The right-arm seamer extracted sharp movement off the pitch, troubling Mumbai’s top order and setting the tone for the day. Nabi’s delivery took the edge of Sarfaraz’s bat and was safely pouched by the wicketkeeper, handing the home side an early breakthrough.
Mumbai’s Tentative Start
Mumbai, after losing their opener at just 14 runs, looked visibly cautious under testing conditions. The chilly weather and lively pitch made batting far from comfortable, leaving the visitors on the back foot early in the contest.
Hopeful Road Ahead Despite Setback
Despite the early dismissal, Sarfaraz Khan will look to use this Ranji season to regain his rhythm and form. His international career, though brief so far, has shown flashes of brilliance. In his Test debut earlier this year, he registered twin half-centuries and later notched a commanding 150 in Bengaluru against New Zealand, helping India recover from a significant deficit. With an average of 37.10 from six Tests, Sarfaraz’s potential at the international level remains promising—if he can string together consistent performances at the domestic level.
