Sarfaraz Khan, who hit a blistering 21-ball unbeaten 45 against Rajasthan Royals in Royal Challengers Bangalore's rain-ruined IPL match in Bengaluru last week, has set his sights on representing the country in next year's Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
The 17-year-old, the Indian Premier League's youngest player, said he would like to impress the national selectors through his performances in the cash-rich T20 league.
"Sandeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Kuldip Singh have all done well after playing well in the IPL. I also want to use this platform to be selected for the Indian team.
"I will try to also be in the team for the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup," said Sarfaraz.
Sarfaraz, who broke Sachin Tendulkar's schools cricket record in 2009 when he scored 439 runs off 421 balls in an inter-school match, credited his rise to the senior players in Royal Challengers' team.
"AB De Villiers is my favourite player. AB always gives me all the tips. When I am nervous he comes over and talks to me. It feels good when such a big player comes and speaks.
"Coach (Daniel Vettori) supported me and encouraged me. He told me not to think too much, but play my natural game.
"I got lot of confidence from that knock, and I hope to do better for myself and my team," he added.
Asked how he copes with the pressure of playing alongside great players like as Chris Gayle and De Villiers, he said he practises hard to overcome the fear of failure while rubbing shoulders with them.
"I am playing with big stars and I have the thought of failure at the back of my mind; to avoid that I practice hard to give my best," he said.
He expressed gratitude to Vettori for picking him in the playing eleven, something he did not expect before making himself available for the IPL auction.
"I did not know that I would be in an IPL team before the auction; I am just 17. I was bought for Rs 50 lakh; I was very happy. I was happy that I got a place in the playing eleven, but I am grateful to Dan Sir," Sarfaraz said.
Asked about Virat Kohli acknowledging his sterling knock against Rajasthan Royals by bowing his head as he walked passed by him , Sarfaraz said he was delighted by his captain's gesture.
"Skipper Virat greeted me 'Haanji Bhaiyaa' and I was delighted that such great player, Kohli, greeting me on his return to the dugout. AB (de Villiers) and (Chris) Gayle also congratulated me," he said.
Talking about his father's influence on his game, he said: "My dad is my coach as well. He spoke to me and asked me to continue the way I have been playing."
