Following Sarfaraz Khan’s recent surge in form, culminating in a stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ravichandran Ashwin is making a compelling case for the Chennai Super Kings to feature him regularly in their IPL 2026 side. Sarfaraz has consistently impressed in domestic white-ball tournaments, proving his mettle beyond Test cricket.
**Century Blitz Against Goa Seals Victory for Mumbai**
Sarfaraz Khan’s explosive batting was on full display against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He hammered 157 runs from just 75 balls, a knock studded with nine fours and an astounding 14 sixes, completely dismantling the bowling attack. This exceptional innings was the cornerstone of Mumbai’s substantial 87-run victory.
**CSK Invests in Sarfaraz’s Potential**
Chennai Super Kings recognized Sarfaraz’s talent by picking him up for Rs 75 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, providing him with a significant opportunity. After witnessing Sarfaraz’s consistent scoring and aggressive intent, Ashwin took to social media platform X to advocate for his immediate inclusion in CSK’s starting eleven.
**Consistent T20 and List A Success**
Ashwin highlighted Sarfaraz’s dominant run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 329 runs in seven matches with a phenomenal strike rate of 203.08 and an average of 65.80. He specifically praised Sarfaraz’s ability to attack spin bowlers in the middle overs with his sweep shots, calling it a valuable skill. Ashwin believes CSK should leverage his current high form, suggesting he’s ‘breaking down the door’ for a consistent spot.