Sarfaraz Khan recalled to India Test squad as father’s shayari video circulates

Sarfaraz Khan was recalled to India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series and a video of his father, Naushad Khan, reciting a shayari celebrating the recall went viral after the announcement on August 10, 2026.

Sarfaraz’s return follows a prolonged spell out of the Test side and comes after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the two-Test series with a toe injury. The 28-year-old had not played for India in almost two years and has six Test appearances, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including one century and three fifties.

A clip of Naushad reciting poetry surfaced on social media soon after the selection news, with the batter applauding during the message. Naushad said, "Bhale nikla hai kai raato ke baad suraj, bhale nikla hai kai raato ke baad, lekin mehnat ko milta hai hamesha kismat ka sath (The sun may have risen after many nights, but destiny favors hard work)," and the post is credited to Naushad Khan (@97cricketofficial).

Sarfaraz’s best Test score remains an unbeaten 150 in Bengaluru in October 2024, produced after India were dismissed for 46 in their first innings. That hundred did not secure him a prolonged run in the side.

His most recent Test appearance came against New Zealand in Mumbai in November 2024, after which he drifted on the fringes of the national set-up and eventually lost his place as opportunities became increasingly scarce.

Off the field, Sarfaraz undertook a physical transformation, losing around 17 kgs, and produced strong domestic returns in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, scoring 429 runs in seven matches at an average of 53.62.

He has been named in India’s squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, with the opening Test scheduled for August 15.