In Indian cricket, talent alone isn’t enough—you need discipline, hunger, and the right people in your corner. Sarfaraz Khan had the skill, but to make it through the grind, he needed someone relentless, someone who wouldn’t let him slip. That man was his father, Naushad Khan.
For those asking, “Who is Sarfaraz Khan’s father?”, he’s more than just a parent—he’s been the backbone of his son’s career. A no-nonsense coach, a strategist, and the one who made sure Sarfaraz never lost focus. Cricket in India is brutal. Hundreds of talented kids vanish into obscurity, but Naushad refused to let that happen to his son.
His coaching wasn’t gentle. He pushed Sarfaraz hard, drilled him with the kind of discipline that breaks most players. No shortcuts, no excuses—just pure graft. Sarfaraz wasn’t just playing cricket; he was being hardened for the battle ahead. Without Naushad’s drive, his career could’ve easily gone off track. Instead, he learned how to fight, how to survive, and most importantly, how to win.
Who is Sarfaraz Khan’s Father?
Naushad Khan is a hard-nosed cricket coach from Mumbai, a man who built his reputation not on personal accolades but on the players he’s shaped. He never had the luxury of a high-profile playing career, but what he lacked in personal glory, he made up for with an obsession for the game and an unshakable belief in his coaching.
Growing up in Mumbai, cricket was everything for Naushad. He knew the struggle, the politics, the brutal competition. He might not have made it to the top himself, but he wasn’t about to let that cycle repeat with his son. From the moment Sarfaraz Khan could hold a bat, Naushad had one mission—turn him into a cricketer who wouldn’t just compete but dominate.
He spotted it early—the raw talent, the instinct, the ability to read the game. But talent means nothing without discipline, and Naushad made sure Sarfaraz understood that. The coaching was relentless, the expectations sky-high. This wasn’t just training—it was survival in a system that swallows up even the most gifted players. Naushad knew exactly what needed to be done, and he did it. No shortcuts, no excuses.
The Role of Naushad Khan in Sarfaraz Khan’s Career
If you think Sarfaraz Khan made it this far on talent alone, think again. His journey is as much about his father, Naushad Khan, as it is about him. This wasn’t a casual father-son cricketing hobby—it was an obsession, a relentless pursuit of excellence drilled into Sarfaraz from the moment he could hold a bat.
Training wasn’t an option; it was a way of life. Dawn meant batting drills, evening meant fitness work, and in between, there was match practice, mental conditioning, and relentless technical corrections. There were no easy days, no half-measures. If Sarfaraz played a loose shot in the morning, he’d hear about it all night.
Naushad made sure his son got exposure, traveling across the country, setting up matches, pushing him into the toughest competitions. When money was tight, they found a way—borrowing, sacrificing, doing whatever it took to keep the dream alive. A new bat wasn’t a luxury, it was an investment.
His biggest lesson? Mentality. He hammered it into Sarfaraz—failure is temporary, excuses are unacceptable. Every setback, every rejection, every snub was met with one answer: “Train harder, prove them wrong.” Like a mantra repeated tezz 888 times, these words became etched in Sarfaraz’s mind. That’s why Sarfaraz is still standing today.
Cricket Coaching Legacy: A Family of Cricketers
Naushad Khan isn’t in this for fame or money—he’s in it for the game. In Mumbai’s cricketing circles, his name carries weight, not because he played at the highest level, but because of the players he’s shaped. He’s a no-nonsense coach, the type who values grit over reputation and effort over excuses.
Plenty of kids walk into his nets without the means to afford elite training. Naushad doesn’t turn them away. If you’ve got talent and the stomach for hard work, he’ll coach you. His methods are old-school—tough, disciplined, and relentless. If you want an easy ride, go somewhere else.
It’s not just Sarfaraz Khan who’s benefited. His younger son, Musheer Khan, is already making a mark in junior cricket, showing the same hunger his father demands. The Khan household isn’t a home—it’s a full-time cricket academy, where fitness, technique, and mindset are the only things that matter.
Beyond his family, Naushad has shaped dozens of young cricketers, pushing them through Mumbai’s brutal cricketing system. His players don’t just develop skills; they develop resilience, a will to fight, and the mindset to survive. His legacy isn’t in records—it’s in the players he’s built, the careers he’s shaped, and the lessons that go beyond the game.
Challenges and Struggles: The Tough Road to Success
Success in Indian cricket isn’t handed out—it’s fought for, scraped for, and sometimes, it’s outright stolen from those who deserve it. Sarfaraz Khan has seen it all—the hype, the setbacks, the criticism. Every time he stumbled, Naushad Khan made sure he got back up.
Fitness was the first big battle. Sarfaraz was always a gifted batsman, but early in his career, the whispers started—”not fit enough, not serious enough.” Selectors didn’t care about raw talent if it didn’t come wrapped in the right physique. The criticism was brutal, and when he was dropped from teams, many thought his career was finished.
Naushad saw it differently. He wasn’t going to let laziness or bad habits kill everything they had worked for. He pushed Sarfaraz harder, making sure training wasn’t just about batting, but about endurance, discipline, and proving the doubters wrong. It wasn’t about looking fit—it was about being fit to bat for hours, to last in the toughest conditions.
Then came the real struggle—the cutthroat competition of Indian cricket. It’s ruthless. Hundreds of talented players fighting for a handful of spots. The system doesn’t wait for anyone. One bad season, one bad series, and you’re out of the picture. Sarfaraz found that out the hard way.
When things started slipping, the critics had a field day. “Overhyped, wasted talent.” The kind of words that break most players. But Naushad wasn’t having any of it. “Forget the noise, score runs.” That was his only advice. So Sarfaraz did. In the Ranji Trophy, he made runs for fun, piling up centuries, leaving selectors with no excuses.
Money was another battle. This wasn’t a cricketing family with a bank balance to fall back on. Every bat, every kit, every trip to a tournament came with a cost. Naushad had to make real sacrifices—sometimes skipping meals, sometimes borrowing money. Whatever it took to keep Sarfaraz’s dream alive.
Through it all, Naushad never doubted his son. He knew the road was long, the rejections painful, but he also knew Sarfaraz had it in him to fight back. Every time he was knocked down, Naushad was there, telling him to go again.
Now, as Sarfaraz stands on the verge of an India call-up, there’s one thing no one can argue—Naushad Khan wasn’t just his father. He was the difference between Sarfaraz Khan making it or fading away.
Training and Discipline: The Father-Son Bond in Cricket
Naushad Khan didn’t do half-measures. His coaching was straight out of the old-school manual—hard work, discipline, and an obsession with perfection. If Sarfaraz Khan wanted to play cricket, he had to live it. There were no easy mornings, no lazy evenings. The training started before sunrise, and it didn’t end until Naushad was satisfied.
Running drills before breakfast, throwdowns for hours, footwork sessions till his legs burned—every single day. Mistakes weren’t brushed off. If Sarfaraz played a loose shot, he had to fix it. No excuses, no shortcuts. If he didn’t listen, he’d hear about it the whole way home.
Naushad’s intensity wasn’t for show; he meant business. Once, after Sarfaraz threw his wicket away in a match, Naushad didn’t say a word to him for hours. No lecture, no shouting—just silence. And that silence spoke louder than anything. The message was clear—respect the game or face the consequences.
Another time, when fitness became an issue, Naushad took control. Sarfaraz had no choice but to fix it—running laps, shedding weight, training harder than ever before. Talent meant nothing if you couldn’t last in the middle. Every push-up, every sprint, every diet change—it all had a purpose. You don’t just play cricket; you earn it.
This wasn’t some comfortable academy setup. This was raw, relentless, backyard graft. The reason Sarfaraz Khan built a rock-solid technique and a never-say-die mentality? Because Naushad Khan refused to let him be anything less than elite.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Rise in Domestic and International Cricket
Sarfaraz Khan’s career has been a battle—one filled with hype, setbacks, and relentless comebacks. Through every high and low, Naushad Khan was there, making sure his son never lost his way.
The first big moment came in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. Sarfaraz stood out with his aggressive stroke play, proving he wasn’t afraid to take on the best young bowlers in the world. His fearless batting caught the eye of IPL scouts, and at just 17, he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Sharing a dressing room with Virat Kohli, playing under the spotlight, and hitting audacious shots—it looked like the start of something special.
Then reality hit. A few poor seasons, questions about his fitness and discipline, and suddenly, the IPL doors slammed shut. The same people who called him a prodigy were now labeling him a wasted talent. Many players disappear at this stage. Sarfaraz could have too.
But he didn’t.
Naushad wasn’t about to let his son drift away. “Forget the noise, score runs.” That was the plan. Sarfaraz went back to domestic cricket, grinding it out for Mumbai and later Uttar Pradesh. In 2020, he smashed a triple century against Uttar Pradesh, a knock that sent a clear message—he wasn’t done yet.
From 2022 onwards, he dominated Ranji Trophy cricket, racking up centuries, averaging over 80, and making a complete mockery of bowlers. Despite this, the Indian team call-up never came. Every squad announcement was another punch to the gut. But Naushad never let him drop his head. “Keep scoring, and they can’t ignore you forever.”
Now, the tide is turning. The selectors are watching. The world is talking. An international debut is within reach. And when that day comes, it won’t just be Sarfaraz’s moment—it will be Naushad Khan’s victory too.
Influence Beyond Sarfaraz: Naushad Khan’s Contributions to Indian Cricket
Naushad Khan doesn’t do it for recognition. He never has. His impact on cricket extends far beyond Sarfaraz Khan—he’s spent years molding young players, turning raw talent into match-ready cricketers. Mumbai is a city bursting with cricketing dreams, but only a few make it. Naushad has spent his life making sure some of them actually do.
He doesn’t turn players away based on where they come from. He doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor. “Cricket doesn’t respect your background, only your work ethic,” he tells his players. Plenty of kids have trained under him without paying a penny, because if you’re serious about the game, he’s serious about coaching you. That’s the kind of mentor he is.
His work isn’t slowing down. Musheer Khan, his younger son, is already making waves in junior cricket, another fighter shaped by Naushad’s relentless training. If he continues on this path, another Khan could soon be making headlines.
Some people want coaching careers to build their own name. Naushad Khan builds cricketers. That’s the difference.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Career Progression Under His Father’s Guidance
| Year | Milestone | Naushad Khan’s Role |
| Early Years | Picked up a bat in Mumbai’s local grounds | Drilled technique, built discipline |
| 2009-2014 | Under-19 success, early signs of a prodigy | Sharpened skills, guided game awareness |
| 2015-2017 | IPL contract at 17, but form dipped | Kept him focused, mentored through struggles |
| 2018-2023 | Ranji Trophy run-machine, India A selection | Tactical advice, mental resilience training |
| 2024+ | On the verge of an India call-up | Final touches, relentless belief in his son |
Key Contributions & Challenges Faced by Naushad Khan
Naushad Khan didn’t just train a cricketer—he built a fighter. From the dusty grounds of Mumbai to the biggest domestic stages, he shaped Sarfaraz Khan with sheer hard work and an obsession for improvement. But it was never easy. Money was tight, opportunities were rare, and setbacks were constant. Every time Sarfaraz got knocked down, Naushad found a way to lift him back up—through extra training, tougher drills, and a simple message: “Prove them wrong.”
Key Contributions of Naushad Khan in Sarfaraz Khan’s Career
- Built his batting from scratch—every shot, every stance, every adjustment.
- Drilled resilience into him—failures don’t break you unless you let them.
- Knocked on every door—selectors, coaches, teams—if Sarfaraz deserved a shot, Naushad made sure he got it.
- Pushed him through fitness issues—when selectors doubted his body, Naushad made sure it was match-ready.
- Never allowed self-doubt—whenever Sarfaraz questioned himself, the answer was simple: “Score runs.”
Challenges Faced by Naushad Khan as a Cricket Coach and Father
- Money was always tight—top-level cricket isn’t cheap, but giving up was never an option.
- People doubted him—the system favors the established, and Naushad was anything but.
- Juggled family and coaching—had to be a father, a mentor, and a manager all at once.
- Media criticism was brutal—when Sarfaraz’s fitness was questioned, Naushad had to take the heat.
- Selection heartbreaks hurt—watching his son outperform others but still get overlooked never got easier.
Naushad Khan never had it easy. But he never asked for easy. He asked for a chance. And when he didn’t get it, he created it.
“A father can only show the path, but the son has to walk it himself. I only tried to make sure that Sarfaraz had everything he needed to succeed. Hard work is always in his hands.” – Naushad Khan
Naushad Khan’s story is one of sacrifice, resilience, and belief. Without him, there’s no Sarfaraz Khan, no stunning Ranji Trophy performances, and no comeback story. His approach was simple—train harder than everyone else, block out the noise, and let performances do the talking.
Now, as Sarfaraz inches closer to an India call-up, one thing is clear—this isn’t just his success. It belongs just as much to his father, the man who never let him quit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Sarfaraz Khan’s father?
Naushad Khan is a well-known cricket coach from Mumbai and the man behind Sarfaraz Khan’s rise in the game. More than a father, he’s been the driving force, shaping his son’s career with relentless training and unwavering belief.
2. What role did Naushad Khan play in Sarfaraz Khan’s career?
Everything. Coach, mentor, strategist, motivator—he’s been all of it. From childhood, Naushad drilled discipline into Sarfaraz, sharpening his skills, toughening his mindset, and making sure he was ready for the brutal world of professional cricket.
3. Is Naushad Khan a former cricketer?
He wasn’t a big-name player, but he’s lived cricket his whole life. Deeply involved in Mumbai’s cricket circuit, his strength has always been coaching, spotting talent, and turning promising youngsters into proper cricketers.
4. Has Naushad Khan coached other cricketers apart from Sarfaraz?
Absolutely. Many young players have trained under him in Mumbai, and his younger son, Musheer Khan, is already making waves in junior cricket. He’s built a reputation for developing fighters, not just players.
5. How did Naushad Khan support Sarfaraz through career setbacks?
By refusing to let him give up. When Sarfaraz was dropped, criticized, and overlooked, Naushad responded the only way he knew—harder training, tougher drills, and a simple message: “Score runs. Make them notice.”
