Sarfaraz Khan puts CSK, RCB, MI and others on notice ahead of IPL auction with first T20 ton
Sarfaraz Khan made a stunning impact in his return to T20 cricket by scoring his maiden century in the format in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match between Mumbai and Assam. The 28-year-old batter’s move came ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
Mumbai were invited to bat first at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, December 2. In-form opener Ayush Mhatre, who had scored centuries in his previous two matches, perished early in the fourth over. Sarfaraz came in at number three and began his innings calmly, taking his time to settle into the crease.
Sarfaraz Khan smashes first T20 century at SMAT
Sarfaraz Khan took an aggressive approach and started clearing the ropes with ease. The right-handed batter reached his century on the penultimate ball of Mumbai’s innings. He scored 100 runs off 47 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes.
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He also added a quickfire 50-run partnership with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. His knock helped Mumbai reach an impressive total of 220 for four in their 20 overs.
Sarfaraz, who last played a T20 match on November 2, 2023, earned his place in the XI in place of Shivam Dube and made the most of the opportunity by batting higher up the order.
The innings came at an important time for Mumbai, especially as they risk losing Suryakumar Yadav and possibly Dube in the next round of SMAT matches due to their international commitments.
Sarfaraz Khan sends strong message to CSK, RCB, MI and others ahead of IPL auction
Before this knock, Sarfaraz Khan’s highest score in the format was 67. He has scored 1,288 runs in 97 T20 matches at an average of just over 24 and a strike rate above 132. The right-handed batter has scored 585 runs in 50 IPL matches.
After going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Sarfaraz Khan has thrown his name into the pool, and this century could give him a strong chance of making a comeback in the IPL.
Khan has not played in the last two IPL seasons. He struggled to find consistency during his stints with Delhi Capitals (DC), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he recorded just one IPL half-century in 2019.
Ishan Kishan shines at SMAT 2025; Devdutt Padikkal hits century for Karnataka
Ishan Kishan leads Jharkhand in SMAT 2025. On Tuesday, he scored 93 runs off 50 balls against Saurashtra in Ahmedabad. The left-handed batter hit 11 fours and three sixes to open the innings.
Ishan was on the verge of getting another century, but bowed out to Jaydev Unadkat in the 17th over. In the previous match, he had scored an unbeaten 113 off 50 balls.
In another match, Devdutt Padikkal performed brilliantly for Karnataka against Tamil Nadu. He was not out on 102 off 46 balls, including 10 fours and 6 sixes, and helped Karnataka win by 145 runs.
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