'Why should I wake up at 5 am?': Sarfaraz Khan opens up on India snubs & motivation

NewsSports NewsCricket News'Why should I wake up at 5 am?': Sarfaraz Khan opens up on India snubs, motivation and father's support 'Why should I wake up at 5 am?': Sarfaraz Khan opens up on India snubs, motivation and father's support MUMBAI: The shrug of the shoulder said it all when Sarfaraz Khan was asked about his absence from the India Test set-up.The latest snub came when he was overlooked for India A's three-match tour of New Zealand.

This was after he had been included in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour as Sai Sudharsan's replacement.Quizzed about what keeps him motivated despite repeatedly being overlooked, the 29-year-old said he often finds himself questioning the effort he puts in every day.

Watch Inside Gill and KL Rahul's intense training | Why no Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma | Nets footage "I wake up every morning and ask myself the same question. Why should I work harder? Why do the same things? Why should I wake up at 5 am (for practice)?

I have already played for India. So even with basic effort, I can still play for Mumbai. With that effort, I can still get those 50s and 100s. So sometimes I start questioning it (the effort). But when I see Abbu (father Naushad) putting in that effort, I think of going out there and performing for him.

So there is something or the other that keeps motivating me," said the Mumbai batter.Sarfaraz last played for India when New Zealand toured the country in 2024. You can meet him at Azad or Cross Maidan. It's very difficult to restart.

Sometimes you get success, sometimes you don't. But this is the job," said Sarfaraz.One regret Sarfaraz has is not getting enough support in his push for an India spot. "Everyone knows that I don't have support in my life.

Only my father has supported me. But it's okay. I have fulfilled my father's dream (of me playing for India). And it's not like I scored once or twice and immediately played for India. I scored 300, 250, 200 and worked hard to get that opportunity," he said.

Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app. ‘Come If You Have Guts’: Rahul Dares PM Modi To Open Debate, Alleges ‘Foreign Help’ Behind Rise ‘Against Hindutva’: BMC Removes Dia Mirza's Anti-Pollution Diwali Video After BJP Protests Two Kuki Youths, Mutilated Bodies & Angry Protests: Manipur Sees Fresh Unrest 280 Kmph Speed, Next-Gen Features- Indias First Bullet Train Takes Shape In Bengaluru “Super Flop Rally”: Sambit Patra Mocks INDIA Bloc, Asks “Where Are The 10 Lakh People?” Amit Shah Slams Congress Rally On 1984 Riots Anniversary, Says It Rubs Salt Into Victims’ Wounds ‘Gyanesh Kumar Is Modi’s Puppet’: Tejashwi Yadav’s ‘Mahabharata’ Attack At Anti-SIR Rally ‘Modi Hatao, Democracy Bachao’: Kharge Leads INDIA Bloc Attack On BJP Over ‘Vote Chori’ Claims Today 'Rahul Gandhi Acting For Foreign Powers': Nitin Nabin's Dig Over 13 Crore Voter Deletion Row ‘2024 Election Was Stolen’: Rahul Gandhi Vows Action Against Gyanesh Kumar At INDIA Bloc Rally Tom Brady reportedly wants FOX Sports to cut his on air expletive from NFL pregame coverage