Sarfaraz played a crucial role in the team’s recent clash against the Punjab Kings at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on May 17 as both the teams in need of win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Sarfaraz came in handy at the top-order as he smashed a 16-ball 32, which included five fours and a big six.

“I am what I am because of my father. He had me do a lot of practice. He used to drive me 2500-2600 kilometers from Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh, stopping at several places along the way. During our journey, we would stop at MP, Ghaziabad, Mathura, and even Delhi to play matches. He deserves full credit. I would not have been a successful cricketer, and would have been working somewhere if he had not been there,” he said in a video shared by the franchise.

“Felt very good to be given this chance. I was attempting to bring out the best in myself and play my typical game. I had never started a game before, therefore I was attempting to just enjoy my game at its top level. I used to assume that as an opener, I could bat effectively, play big shots, and smash the ball anywhere I wanted,” he said.

“Even with my participation, I would not have been pleased if the squad had lost. In such situation, I would have given this performance a zero. However, the squad triumphed, and the atmosphere is pleasant. It’s not like we’re out of the race; we’re still in the mix. We must win the next match in order to qualify,” he added.

Sarfaraz Khan, who filled in for Prithvi Shaw in the opening slot of Delhi Capitals recently, opened up about his cricketing journey and credited his father for his success.