Watch: Sarfaraz Khan, who was overlooked for the first two Tests of the upcoming India-Australia series despite being in sizzling red-form ball, continued to make merry with yet another Ranji Trophy century, his third so far this season.

Playing for Mumbai against hosts Delhi, Sarfaraz hauled his team out from a position of trouble at 66-4, helping them post 293 in the first innings of their Elite Group B fixture. He ended with 125 off 155 balls (100 out of which were dot balls), replete with 16 fours and four sixes. He was eventually stumped off the bowling of left-arm spinner Yogesh Sharma.

When he reached his century, Sarfaraz was a figure of extreme joy: he ran around, pumping the air with his bat and roaring in delight. His teammates stood and applauded as the aggressive celebration continued, with Mumbai coach Amol Muzumdar doffing his hat from the pavilion. Muzumdar famously never represented India, despite being the second-highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy history.

Sarfaraz now averages 111.20 in the 2022/23 edition: the third consecutive season where his average has stayed over 100 after 2019/20 (154.7) and 2021/22 (122.8). His first-class average of 80.47 is second only to Don Bradman (min. 50 innings).

Despite the rich run of form, Sarfaraz continues to be uncapped, missing the cut on India’s tour to Bangladesh late last year, as well as the squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming India-Australia Test series. Speaking after the snub, Sarfaraz said he “wasn’t able to sleep and kept asking why I wasn’t there”, but wowed to keep fighting and scoring.

Watch the moment he reached his century here (complete highlights below):

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