'Hard work, courage, patience': Anand Mahindra offers Sarfaraz Khan's father Naushad Thar SUV as gift

Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra on Friday offered Naushad Khan, father of Sarfaraz, a Thar SUV following Sarfaraz's excellent start to his senior Team India career. Thursday was an emotional day for Sarfaraz's family as he celebrated his Team India debut with a 66-ball 62 on Day 1 of the third Test against England in Rajkot.

Also read | Sarfaraz Khan First Impressions — Solid technique and brave batting

"Hard work. Courage. Patience. What better qualities than those for a father to inspire in a child? For being an inspirational parent, it would be my privilege & honour if Naushad Khan would accept the gift of a Thar," Anand posted on microblogging platform 'X', formerly called Twitter.

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Ahead of the Test match, Sarfaraz received his Test cap from the legendary Anil Kumble, ending years of agonising wait after being made to toil hard in the Ranji Trophy. Naushad is an employee with Western Railways but struggled to make ends meet. He used to sell cucumbers and toffees in trains apart from selling track pants, but still, Naushad supported his son's dreams and has played a pivotal role in Sarfaraz's cricket career in the last 15 years or so.

“The sun will rise according to its time. Things will happen at the right time. Our work is to work hard, be patient and never give up hope,” Naushad had said following his son's senior India debut.

“When I used to work very hard I used to think why are my dreams not coming true in front of my eyes? However, my thoughts have now changed after [Sarfaraz] received the cap for all the kids who are working very hard,” he had added.

India went onto post 445 on the back of Sarfaraz's fifty, apart from centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. At the time of writing this report, England were 148/1 in their first innings reply, with Ben Duckett having scored a century. The five-match series is level at 1-1.