Rohit Sharma’s Net Session with Sarfaraz Khan Goes Viral

Rohit Sharma Shares Practice Session with Mhatre and Sarfaraz Khan

Rohit Sharma Practices with Sarfaraz Khan and Ayush Mhatre

India’s ODI skipper Rohit Sharma was recently spotted in a training session sharing the nets with Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan and young talent Ayush Mhatre. The session has caught attention not just for its warm, mentoring tone but also for what it suggests about grooming new batting talent in Indian cricket.

The Context: Why This Session Matters

Rising Expectations Around Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan has been one of the standout domestic batsmen for a while. After years of high scores in the Indian domestic circuit, his performances eventually earned him a Test debut under Rohit Sharma in the India vs England series in February 2025. Since then, Sarfaraz has played six Tests, scoring around 371 runs in 11 innings, including one century and three fifties, with a highest score of 150. These numbers show promise — a batsman who can build innings, but still in the process of proving consistent across formats. With Rohit no longer playing Test cricket after retiring in May 2025 and focusing more on ODIs, sessions like these serve both as motivation and learning opportunities.

Ayush Mhatre: The Burgeoning Star

Ayush Mhatre is a young up-and-coming batter who has impressed in age-group cricket and the IPL. In the recent U19 tour of England, he led in both formats for India. He was part of a five-match ODI series, which India won 3-2, and a two-match Test series that ended in a draw. In IPL 2025, playing for Chennai Super Kings, his approach stood out despite the team’s overall poor performance.

What Happened in the Practice Session

Bat Gifted, Advice Shared

Rohit Sharma gifted Ayush Mhatre a bat, which Mhatre later posted about on Instagram, calling it “not just a gift, but an inspiration.” Sarfaraz Khan was also seen observing Rohit closely in the nets, engaging in conversations and picking up batting tips. Even though Sarfaraz has Test experience, mentorship from someone like Rohit is invaluable for refining his game.

Environment and Timing

The practice session took place at a training facility in Mumbai, ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia. Rohit, who passed his fitness tests, is preparing intensely for the limited-overs format. With speculation around how many more ODIs he will play given his age and previous retirements from Tests and T20Is, this practice also hinted at his focus on leaving an impact both on and off the field.

Why It’s a Big Deal for Sarfaraz Khan

Learning From a Senior Pro

For Sarfaraz Khan, spending time with Rohit Sharma means access to insights on technique under pressure, mindset required for international cricket, and strategies for ODI batting. Even observing how Rohit approaches shot selection and footwork in practice can sharpen Sarfaraz’s skills.

Pushing for a Stronger Comeback

Although Sarfaraz has already debuted in Test cricket, his place in the Indian team isn’t permanent yet. Performances have been promising, but consistency across different conditions and formats will decide his long-term role. Sessions like this could help him address challenges such as rotating strike in ODIs and building fluency against different bowling attacks.

What This Means for Indian Cricket Talent Pipeline

This practice session shows the importance of senior players guiding juniors. Domestic stars like Sarfaraz Khan are being gradually integrated into the national setup, while emerging talents like Mhatre gain motivation from direct interactions with legends. Rohit Sharma, despite stepping back from some formats, remains central in ODIs and continues to contribute by mentoring the next generation.

What Next for Sarfaraz Khan?

For Sarfaraz Khan, the road ahead is clear:

1. Improve ODI adaptability by balancing strike rotation with boundary hitting.
2. Maintain peak fitness to survive long tours.
3. Keep piling up runs in domestic tournaments such as Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
4. Convert starts into big scores when given chances in international cricket.
5. Build mental resilience to handle the ups and downs of selection.

Final Thoughts

Rohit Sharma’s practice session with Sarfaraz Khan and Ayush Mhatre was more than just training. It highlighted the mentorship culture Indian cricket needs — where senior players guide and inspire emerging names. For Sarfaraz Khan, this is a chance to strengthen his skills, learn from one of the best, and push towards cementing his spot in the national team. If he builds on this momentum and delivers consistent performances, Sarfaraz Khan could soon become a key figure in India’s middle order.

Key Facts Summary

• Rohit Sharma practised with Sarfaraz Khan and Ayush Mhatre ahead of the Australia ODI series.
• Rohit gifted a bat to Ayush Mhatre, which the youngster called an inspiration.
• Sarfaraz Khan engaged with Rohit in the nets, picking up batting tips.
• Sarfaraz’s current Test record: six matches, 371 runs, average around 37, with one century and three fifties.

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