India, Oct. 24 -- Gearing up for a fresh Ranji season with an eye on bigger personal honours is what Sarfaraz Khan has done a lot of. Being constantly on the waiting list is also something he's learned to deal with. It may have led to frustration, but it never broke him. To lose favour after making it to the elite level can be deflating though and will test the resilience of the middle-order batter.

As Sarfaraz took catches during fielding practice a day before Mumbai's second round of Ranji Trophy against Chattisgarh at the Bandra Kurla Complex, his state opener Ayush Mhatre, 18, left the squad to gear up for India A action against South Africa A in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz can't make it to India A, let alone earn a Test recall. At 28, age d...