Mumbai’s rich cricketing culture has given the nation some promising young talents like Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw.
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Had it not been the challenges that the maidans of Mumbai present, the city would not have produced enough quality cricketers like Prithvi Shaw and Yashasvi Jaiswal, reckons Sarfaraz Khan.
A product of Azad Maidan, Sarfaraz Khan first came into the spotlight as a 12-year-old who slammed 439 runs in a Harris Shield game for his school Rizvi Springfield.
The diminutive Mumbai batsman has gone from strength to strength since starting his journey with the Mumbai team as an Under-19 player.
He had a very successful campaign in the 2019/20 Ranji Trophy season for Mumbai, amassing 928 runs in six games at a stunning average of 154.66.
However, over the years, the 22-year-old did not taste success without the adversities.
“In Mumbai, we learn the hard way. Prithvi, Yashasvi and I have played a lot of cricket in Azad Maidan,” he told the Sportstar website.
“It is a very difficult ground to learn cricket. The wickets aren’t that good and after doing the hard yard there, wickets in Wankhede and other grounds seem a lot more easier,” he explained.
“Yashasvi has lived in Azad Maidan. At times, I have slept the night on the pitch and then caught the first train back home. The hard work of travel, hunger and passion to do well in Mumbai makes you a tough character.”
Sarfaraz Khan was selected for the 2014 Under-19 World Cup team after a fruitful season with the Mumbai youth team.
The Mumbai lad shone at the big-ticket event and earned himself a lucrative Indian Premier League contract in 2015 with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Interestingly, all three players – Sarfaraz Khan, Prithvi Shaw and Yashasvi Jaiswal made strides in their careers after excelling for the Mumbai team in the domestic circuit.
Sarfaraz Khan is currently stuck in his hometown of Azamgarh due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown where he has come out to help the needy.
Along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan has also plied his trade in T20 Mumbai - the first two representing the North Mumbai Panthers, whereas the latter for the Eagle Thane Strikers.
