Mumbai: Young batsman Sarfaraz Khan, selected in the India Under 19 World Cup squad, today said he has learnt a lot from former Test cricketer Rahul Darvid and look forward to get more tips from the legend.
Sarfaraz and Armaan Jaffer, both of whom had represented the Rizvi Springfield School in schools cricket, were felicitated by the management of the Bandra-based education institution for being picked in the Under 19 World Cup squad.
“There were plenty of things that I have learned from Rahul Sir, including on how he remains calm at all times. His planning is good and he teaches us that. He remains silent and focuses on work. We will learn some more things from him,” said Sarfaraz, who played for Uttar Pradesh this season after having represented Mumbai in Ranji Trophy in 2014-15.
Jaffer was excited to work with Dravid, a 164-Test veteran.
“I have been newly inducted into the team. He (Rahul) has been a legend, I will ask him how he handled pressure in tough situations and what were his practice methods. I will ask about these things to him,” said Armaan, nephew of former Test opener Wasim.
Sarfaraz, who played under the captaincy of India’s Test skipper Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Banglore in the Indian Premier League, said he had learned to be positive at all times in his outlook from the Delhi stalwart.
“I have learned a lot from him (Virat), how he stays within himself. He is always positive. I have not seen him to be negative even on a single occasion. He has a lot of self- confideince,” he said about Kohli who had led India to the title triumph in the Under 19 World Cup in 2008.
“If we meet, then obviously I will ask what were his preparations (for the 2008 event),” he said.
The tournament starts on January 27 in Bangladesh. India are in Group D and would play against Australia, New Zealand and Nepal in the league stage.
The team opens its campaign against Australia on January 28 at Mirpur.