Rather than brood over lost final, Sarfaraz Khan looks ahead

The Taximen Colony in Bandra-Kurla Complex was abuzz with activities on Monday. Their favourite son Sarfaraz Khan has just returned after representing India in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh, where India finished as the runner-up to West Indies the previous day.

Sarfaraz is surrounded by guests. He is greeted with a hug and "well played" comment before being asked to pose for camera phones with each of them. Local politicians, too, bask in Sarfaraz's glory.

The 18-year-old looks confident and is hard to find the disappointment of not winning the Cup despite his team not losing a single game in the lead up to the title round.

That big final against the Windies is past. His mind's agenda is simple. 'What next?'

"That is past. There is definitely a little disappointment. Despite doing well till the semifinals, we lost the final. But it is cricket. Some win, some lose," he tells dna.

"Our focus was to win the World Cup. We had worked for three months but Rahul sir had said whatever happens, learning from it is important. There was a batting collapse, we did not play well. Eventually we lost. There is still some disappointment," adds Sarfaraz.

"My aim is to think forward. Whatever happened, happened. My focus is now on the DY Patil T20 (Sarfaraz will play for DY Patil Academy) and then the IPL. I am thinking how I have to do well and realise my parents' dream," he says.

With five half-centuries in six games including a 51 in the final, Sarfaraz is happy that he played to the team's cause. "I am happy that my team played well. I thought that I couldn't convert them into centuries. I even told Rahul sir but he said that I did well for team and won them the games which is important. Then I realised, 'yes, if these are helping my team win, then fine'," says Sarfaraz.

The Mumbai-born youngster, who aggregated 355 at an average of 71 to be second highest in the tournament, was out leg before wicket in the final when he was well set and had 12 more overs in hand.

"That was my natural shot. I had no option but to go for it. We had only two wickets left and I had to go for it as I thought another 20-25 runs would have helped. Then, I thought I should not have played that shot," admits Sarfaraz.

For him, being with Rahul Dravid was a great learning experience. "Before this World Cup, I used to play only attacking game. I looked to score more runs off less balls. But having been with Rahul sir, I realised how important it was to stay at the wicket. He told me to curb my instincts and be cool. I learnt a few things like how to stay calm and cool apart from taking every game as a lesson. Whatever you are in life will reflect on field. So, these things have helped me," he says.

The youngster reveals that heart-to-heart session with Dravid made him realise his game in red-ball. "I was criticised for not being good in red ball but Dravid sir told me it was not like that. I have got the technique and shots to play swing and spin with the red ball. That, coming from a Test legend, has given me immense confidence," he says.

The 18-year-old believes time has come for him to fight with the big fishes. "I am excited about IPL. Time has come to swim in the sea from pond. I now have to fight with the big players and I have all the confidence. I believe I have prayers of many with me and I am confident to do well in the future," he adds.

Ask from where does this confidence comes from? "I am more nervous off the field and more confident on it."

Sarfaraz at U-19 WC
6 matches, 6 innings, 1 not out, 355 runs, 76 highest, 71.00 average, 86.79 strike rate, 5x50

Group D: 74 vs Ireland
74 vs New Zealand
21* vs Nepal

Quarterfinal: 76 vs Namibia

Semifinal: 59 vs Sri Lanka

Final: 51 vs West Indies