London: Sarfaraz Khan, who is one of India’s future stars, is training hard in England after followed Indian Test captain Virat Kohli’s advice to get fitter and stronger.
Eighteen-year-old Khan, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) under the captaincy of Kohli has hit two centuries on arrival in England and has even improved his skills with tips from some of the renowned coaches.
Khan has been training hard at the UAE-based G Force Cricket Academy’s coaching camp in Epsom College ground and also playing for Shenley Cricket Club.
Speaking to Gulf News, Khan said: “I want to try and be as fit as Kohli. He is role model for every youngster today. It’s great to be playing under Kohli for RCB. After this season’s IPL, Kohli called me and told me that I have good talent and if I can work hard on my fitness too I will be a success. I want to meet his expectations and so decided to fly to England where I can train hard unlike in India where it would be raining now. I am delighted with the experience here.”
Khan trained for long hours with the Sun setting late in England during summer.
“I got a century in G Force Academy match and also hit 132 runs for Shenley Village Cricket Club in Saturday league. I also got good tips from coaches like T.A. Sekar, Ian Trott and Ashish Kapoor and Ayub Caz and above all Gopal Jasapara, who invited me to join the camp,” added Khan, who caught the attention at the age of 12 by breaking the record for the highest score in Mumbai’s Harris Shield through a marathon knock of 438 runs for Rizvi Springfield with 56 fours and 12 sixes.
UAE-based businessman Shyam Bhatia immediately sponsored Khan’s education expenses and cricket kit. Khan went on to score heavily in the Under-19 World Cup in 2014 and also became the youngest player to play in the IPL. “In England the ball moves a lot and by playing here it will be easy for me to score in the coming Ranji Trophy season,” said Khan, who plays for Uttar Pradesh.
