20 April,2016 11:40 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
Local boy Sarfaraz Khan hopes Royal Challengers Bangalore's top-order batsmen do the job for the team against Mumbai Indians in their crucial encounter at Wankhede today
Sarfaraz Khan during his unbeaten 10-ball 35 vs SRH last week
When Royal Challengers Bangalore last played at the Wankhede Stadium (May 10, 2015), AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli stole the show while young batting sensation Sarfaraz Khan waited in the wings to get a chance to bat on his home ground.
Also Read: IPL 9: Chris Gayle heads back to Jamaica to meet newborn son
Sarfaraz Khan during his unbeaten 10-ball 35 vs SRH last week. Pic/PTI
This time, things could be slightly different for Sarfaraz as his decision to leave Mumbai to play first-class cricket for Uttar Pradesh did not go down well with many officials of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
Also Read: IPL 9: Mumbai Indians' batsmen must put on a better show
When Sarfaraz came to the Wankhede Stadium with his UP teammates for the Ranji Trophy match last November, there were signs of a subtle contest between Sarfaraz and his former team. Sarfaraz scored 44 in a drawn game.
As Sarfaraz braces for another battle at Wankhede with Mumbai Indians, the young lad is not looking to prove anything on his former home turf. "I have stopped thinking about all these things now (leaving Mumbai for Uttar Pradesh). I only want to concentrate on my game and do well for my team," he said.
In fact, he hopes he doesn't get a chance to bat at Wankhede today. "I wish I don't get a chance to bat because that would mean our top order has done the job well. However, if I get to bat, I will try and do the best I can for my team. I want to give off my best in this IPL as compared to last year. After the first match of this season, the seniors gave me a lot of confidence and told me to keep playing my natural game, according to the situation," said Sarfaraz.
