Sarfaraz Khan Compares Rohit Sharma to Lagaan's Aamir Khan: 'Feels Like Part of Family... Like an Elder Brother'

India batter Sarfaraz Khan praised India captain Rohit Sharma for keeping the dressing room lively and also, for the way he treats the newcomers. The young Mumbai batter made his Test debut against England earlier this year, scoring back-to-back fifties on debut in Rajkot. He accumulated 200 runs in 3 matches, striking at 79.37.

Sarfaraz was summoned for the first Test against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai. The team has arrived in the capital city of Tamil Nadu and has begun the preparations. Speaking to Jio Cinema, Sarfaraz asserted that captain Rohit Sharma is unique and makes everyone comfortable as an elder brother.

“He’s very different, makes you comfortable and is like an elder brother to us. I enjoy playing with him. He never treats you like a junior. He’s a positive guy. The way he speaks, it boosts your confidence,” Sarfaraz said.

“Lagaan is my favourite movie. In that, the way Aamir Khan assembles his team, Rohit bhai reminds me of that. For me, he’s Lagaan’s Aamir Khan. It feels like he’s part of your family,” he added.

Following the first Test, the teams will fly to Kanpur to play the second match at Green Park. The Tests will be followed by three T20Is, scheduled to be played in Gwalior, New Delhi and Hyderabad.

Rishabh Pant Returns to Test Cricket

Rishabh Pant returned to India’s Test set-up after nearly 20 months as BCCI announced a 16-man squad for first Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai. Former captain Virat Kohli will also be back in action when Team India begins its home season later this month.

Having played in the second and final Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur from December 22-25, 2022, Pant had met a road accident a few days later on December 30 and made his return to top flight cricket only in IPL this year. The 26-year-old swashbuckling batter returned to the national side in their title-winning campaign in the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami failed to make it to the Test side even though chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had earlier expressed that the right-arm seamer was targeting a return in the first Test against Bangladesh.