It does not comes as a surprise to those who have followed seventeen-year-old Mumbai cricketer Sarfaraz Khan's career that on Monday he became the youngest player to be picked up in Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. What's interesting is that his father and coach Naushad Khan has saved his son's name in his phone's contact list as SK Milkha Singh.
It does not comes as a surprise to those who have followed seventeen-year-old Mumbai cricketer Sarfaraz Khan's career that on Monday he became the youngest player to be picked up in Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. What's interesting is that his father and coach Naushad Khan has saved his son's name in his phone's contact list as SK Milkha Singh.
Till Farhan Akhtar's Bhaag Milkha Bhaag hit the screens in 2013, Naushad knew little about the legendary athlete. Eversince he watched the movie with Sarfaraz, he has been in awe of the Flying Sikh for his passion and hard work that he put in to achieve great heights.
To keep Safaraz motivated, Naushad keeps playing the songs of the movie on his audio system, and Milkha Singh SK on his cell phone is one among many such things.
Naushad has put Sarfaraz through all the drills and many more to inspire his son to emulate Milkha's dedication. And the India U-19 cricketer's hard work is gradually getting noticed.
After making his Ranji Trohpy debut for Mumbai last year, Sarfaraz on Monday became the youngest India Premier League player at its auction in Bangalore.
He was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 50 lakh. Not only that, there was a mini war between Mumbai Indians and RCB to buy the young prodigy which was eventually won by the latter.
The atmosphere in the Khan household is of joy and happiness.
"It's not about the money but the opportunity," Naushad told dna on Monday. "Money is not important if you are playing alongside big cricketers such as Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli or AB de Villiers. The atmosphere will be that of an international dressing room."
"It's a platform to move to bigger things in his career," he added.
Sarfaraz, who is playing inter-zonal tournament in Vizag, said he had an intuition that something good will happen. "I had done well in the RCB trials in Bangalore where I scored an 18-ball 32 in front of Daniel Vettori. He didn't say anything though. I am extremely happy I will get to playwith the stars. Especially, AB, whom I admire a lot for his big hitting skills," said Sarfaraz.
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