NEW DELHI: Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur on Friday said that Sarfaraz Khan does not need India A exposure tours or series to make a comeback into international cricket, noting that the middle-order batter can earn his place in the Test side through strong performances in domestic cricket.

Sarfaraz, who made his Test debut against England in the Rajkot Test of the 2023-24 season, was part of India's tour of Australia late last year but has not featured in the Test side since.

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The 28-year-old, who last played for India in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand and has six Tests to his name, was also overlooked for the recent India A series against South Africa A.

"Nowadays, for the India A side, they look at boys, who they want to prepare for international cricket," India all-rounder and Mumbai captain Thakur told the media.

"Sarfraz doesn't need India A game to play international cricket. If he gets back to scoring again, he can straight away go and play Test series also," he said.

Although Sarfaraz was unable to convert his starts in either innings, Mumbai secured their first-ever Ranji Trophy victory over Jammu and Kashmir in their opening match.

"He is coming from injury lay-off. But before that, he scored two-three centuries in the Buchi Babu Trophy before getting injured.

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"Coming back against J&K in the previous match, he had a nice 40 (42). It was very unfortunate to have been run out. But for him, I don't think playing India A is important," Thakur said.

Thakur expressed confidence that Sarfaraz will be able to come good in coming games as Mumbai look to build on their strong start.

"He is a senior pro and whenever we put him in there in the 22 yards, he is someone who always delivers in crunch situations," Thakur said.

"He has big scores of 200-250s and those innings have come when the team was two or three down quite early in the innings. To play that kind of innings under pressure, you have to have something special in you."

"He is one of the special players who never disappoints to perform and put up big scores. He has done it for years and years. Regardless of which number he bats, I think he will deliver," Thakur added.

The 42-time winners will now take on Chhattisgarh for their first home game starting here at the BKC Ground.

In other Group D matches of the second round, Jammu and Kashmir will look to bounce back after their defeat when they take on a confident Rajasthan, who won their season opener against Chhattisgarh, at Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.

Delhi will take on Himachal Pradesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium whereas Puducherry will face Hyderabad in their backyard.

(With PTI Inputs)