Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan made his much-awaited Test debut for India in Rajkot after accumulating runs in domestic cricket and averaging almost 70. He made an immediate impact with the bat scoring 62 off 66 balls batting at number six.
Sarfaraz’s Test debut was an emotional moment for him and his family. His father was crying seeing his son wearing the India Test cap. The 26-year-old grabbed his first opportunity with the bat. He scored 62 off 66 balls and added a 77-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored his fourth Test ton.
Television commentators were also happy to see the youngster score impressive runs in his first opportunity with the bat. Sarfaraz Khan scored almost 4,000 runs in just 45 FC matches at an average of 69.85 and a strike rate of 70.48. This included 14 hundreds and 11 fifties.
He has averaged over 100 in his last two domestic seasons in the Ranji Trophy and his Test debut brought smiles to the faces of many. His innings was cut short due to a mix-up with Jadeja in the 82nd over when he looked good to possibly score a century.
Jadeja’s defensive push was strong enough to hit Mark Wood, who was inside the circle. He was quick to attack the ball and hit the stumps thoroughly. Sarfaraz, who started in the non-forward zone, took a while to return to the area. Indian captain Rohit Sharma was absolutely furious with the dismissal, especially as it came at the end of the day’s play.
Also Read: Sarfaraz Khan equals Hardik Pandya’s iconic Test record after ‘Bazball style’ fifty on debut
Sarfaraz spoke to reporters after the match and spoke about the conversation between him and Jadeja during their 77-run partnership. He also spoke about dismissing her without term.
“Sometimes there is a lack of communication and it’s part of the game.” Sarfaraz said at the press conference.
Watch: The Unfortunate Escape of Sarfaraz Khan
– Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) February 15, 2024
The debutant further spoke about his association with Ravindra Jadeja and said how the senior partner helped him complete his innings. Jadeja seemed dejected after Sarfaraz’s dismissal as his association was really flourishing.
“Mujhe baat karke khelna accha lagta hai (I like to talk while batting). So I told Jadeja to keep talking to me while I bat. She supported me a lot today and she talked to me at lunch.” he said.
“He told me how debutants feel and how he felt as a debutante. He was a little nervous, especially when I played my first sweep and missed it. But he told me to take some time.” Sarfaraz added more.
When asked how Jadeja reacted to the exit, the batsman said: “He said there was a little bit of miscommunication, but I said it was okay.”
The 26-year-old further spoke about making his father’s dream come true when he made his Test debut for India.
“I was very happy. I once wanted to play in India during my father’s lifetime. That was my only dream. So that was just running through my mind. My father was not going to be the first in the game. After that some people told him to go to the game, this is his proudest moment. Obviously I had to come because I had worked so hard for this day.” Sarfaraz said.
“So the only thing I had in mind was that I would take the cap in front of him. He was excited too. My wife was excited too. I felt like some of the burden had been lifted because of the work he had done for me, I didn’t let it go to waste.” he concluded by saying.
India finished Day 1 on 326/6 with Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten on 110 and night watchman Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 1 off 10 balls. India will look to add as many as possible to the board on Day 2.
Also Read: Watch: Rohit Sharma absolutely furious as Sarfaraz Khan runs out due to Ravindra Jadeja’s mistake