Unsold in auction, how can Sarfaraz Khan still play in the IPL 2024?

Sarfaraz Khan played 50 matches in the IPL from 2015-2023.

The Delhi Capitals (DC) released Sarfaraz Khan before the IPL 2024 auction after the Indian batter struggled last season. In four games, he scored 53 runs, which was significantly lower than the 91 runs he scored in six games the previous season.

This meant that the right-hander got no buyers at the auction and went unsold. However, the figures do not reflect Sarfaraz’s quality, as demonstrated in the ongoing Test between India and England in Rajkot.

Sarfaraz Khan showed his ability to dominate the opposition bowling, and while the format is different, a talented Indian batter will always benefit any IPL franchise. Sarfaraz Khan scored 62 and 68* in his debut test becoming only the fourth Indian batter to achieve this feat after Dilawar Hussain, Sunil Gavaskar, and Shreyas Iyer.

His batting was exemplary despite it being his first outing in test cricket. He looked at ease in both innings, after Rohit Sharma cleverly hid him in the first innings when India was 33/3, allowing Ravindra Jadeja to come ahead of him to absorb the pressure. In the second innings, Sarfaraz and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 172* runs for the fifth wicket in just 26 overs, hammering England bowlers all over the Rajkot stadium.

Sarfaraz Khan back in fray for the IPL 2024  

Sarfaraz Khan’s IPL career has been a start and go. He has played 50 games in IPL since making his debut in 2015 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He played for them till IPL 2018, before joining Punjab Kings and most recently Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2023. He has 585 runs with one fifty at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 130.58.

Unexpectedly, the right-handed batter went unsold at the December auction. Following a disappointing performance in the IPL 2023, the Delhi Capitals discharged the batter before the auction. He scored 53 runs in four games in the previous edition. Despite his batting skill, no organization exhibited an interest in buying him during the auction.

However, there is still a chance for Sarfaraz Khan to be a part of the IPL 2024 as players who were part of the auction in December, can be called up by any of the franchises as a replacement player.

Reports have already stated that Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Sarfaraz’s former franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore are in line to sign the Mumbai batter ahead of the IPL 2024 season.

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