Sarfaraz Khan

He moved quickly into Mumbai's Under-19 side and then India's, playing the 2014 and 2016 Under-19 World Cups. Across those two events he scored 566 runs from the middle order at an average of 70.75, a tally bettered only by Eoin Morgan (606) and Babar Azam (585). His 7 fifties are the most by anyone at the tournament. His first-class debut came in 2014.

His early years brought trouble too. The Mumbai Cricket Association suspended him over his age until it accepted an advanced test result, and he was later removed from its indoor academy camp for disciplinary reasons. His 2014-15 match fees were withheld after rude gestures towards selectors following an Under-19 game. He then left for Uttar Pradesh, where two quiet seasons followed. Returning to Mumbai for 2019-20 proved the turning point, and he became the third batter, after Wasim Jaffer and Ajay Sharma, to pass 900 runs in consecutive Ranji seasons.

India called him up in February 2024, and he debuted against England at Rajkot, making two fifties in that first Test. His maiden Test century came in October against New Zealand, though his output faded later in a series India lost 3-0 at home. He was in the squad for the tour of Australia but was not picked for the first Test.

In the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him at the 2015 auction, and he became the youngest player to appear in the league. An unbeaten 45 off 21 involving Rajasthan Royals led captain Virat Kohli to bow to the 17-year-old. Fitness issues cost him his place in 2016 and a leg injury ruled him out the next year. RCB kept him for INR 4 crore in 2018 ahead of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul, but poor returns led to his release before 2019. Kings XI Punjab then signed him without much success, and Delhi Capitals took him at his INR 20 lakh base price in the 2023 auction.