Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind the in-form Sarfaraz Khan, advocating for the batter to become a regular feature in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lineup for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
Ashwin's Powerful Endorsement on Social Media
The endorsement from the seasoned off-spinner came swiftly after Sarfaraz played a devastating knock for Mumbai against Goa in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The right-handed batsman smashed a breathtaking 157 runs off just 75 balls, an innings punctuated by nine fours and a staggering 14 sixes, showcasing his immense power-hitting ability. He reached his century in a mere 56 deliveries.
Taking to social media platform X, Ashwin connected Sarfaraz's current form with his stellar performances in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In that T20 tournament, Sarfaraz accumulated 329 runs across seven matches, boasting an extraordinary strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80.
"100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT. That form's transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes," Ashwin wrote. He particularly praised the batter's dominance against spin bowling during the middle overs, highlighting his effective use of sweep and slog-sweep shots.
"Breaking the Door Down" for CSK Selection
In a vivid Tamil phrase, Ashwin emphasized the urgency of Sarfaraz's claim for a spot, stating, "'Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.' (He is not knocking on the door, he is breaking it open)." Ashwin posed a direct question to the CSK think-tank, suggesting they should capitalize on his brilliant form by integrating him into their Playing XII.
"CSK should look at riding his purple patch by slotting him into the Playing XII surely? A genuine problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellow this season! Can't wait for IPL 2026," Ashwin added, pointing to the selection dilemma his form creates for the franchise.
CSK's Strategic Acquisition for IPL 2026
Ashwin's public backing follows concrete action from the Chennai-based franchise. Recognizing his explosive talent, the five-time IPL champions secured Sarfaraz Khan's services for Rs 75 lakh during the IPL 2026 mini-auction held earlier this month.
This acquisition adds significant firepower to an already formidable CSK batting unit, which includes stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, and Shivam Dube. Sarfaraz's proven ability to accelerate and dismantle bowling attacks, especially spin, aligns perfectly with the demands of the T20 format and CSK's strategic needs.
As the domestic season continues to unfold, all eyes will be on whether Sarfaraz can maintain this scintillating run and translate his domestic dominance into a permanent role for one of the IPL's most successful franchises when the 2026 season arrives.
