Buchi Babu tournament | Ton-up Sarfaraz puts Mumbai in a commanding position against TNCA XI

Sarfaraz Khan kickstarted the new domestic season in authoritative fashion, smashing a brilliant century (138 retd. hurt, 114b, 10×4, 6×6) to power Mumbai to a commanding 367 for five against TNCA XI on the opening day of the first round of the All India Buchi Babu tournament match at the Gojan College ground here on Monday.

Sarfaraz was at his aggressive best, smashing an inexperienced bowling attack to all corners of the field. Sarfaraz had made his Test debut last year and was dropped from the Indian team for the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. He will need a good domestic season to fight his way back into national reckoning.

The 27-year-old, who has recently shed more than 10kgs in a bid to become fitter, walked in with Mumbai in a spot of bother at 98 for three and took the game away from TNCA XI.

Sarfaraz got an early reprieve when he was dropped on 15 by M. Shahrukh Khan at first slip off left-arm spinner M. Siddharth and made the home team rue the missed chance. He was severe on Siddharth, using the sweep shot to good effect to find the boundaries, including two sixes.

Once he crossed his half-century with a flick off pacer Prem Kumar, Sarfaraz stepped on the accelerator. He got to his century, ramping pacer Lokesh Raj over slips for a boundary.

The batter also ran hard between the wickets with seven braces and two threes. Once he crossed his landmark, Sarfaraz cut loose, lofting Lokesh down the ground for consecutive sixes even while battling cramps before walking off.