Team India’s middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan made a strong return to the Mumbai team during the Iran Trophy match against Rest of India. Sarfaraz Khan scored his 15th first-class century in the domestic red-ball match taking place at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, October 2.
Sarfaraz lost his place in the middle order of the playing XI after KL Rahul’s return to the Test team. The young batsman was part of the Duleep Trophy 2024 squad before the first Test match. He was then released from the Indian team for the second and final Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur.
Mumbai lost three wickets on Day 1 of Iranian Cup 2024
Rest of India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to field first. Mumbai lost three wickets quickly before Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with their half-centuries. Sarfaraz came in to bat when Mumbai were 139 runs for four wickets on the opening day of the match.
Rahane and Sarfaraz added 98 runs for the fifth wicket at the end of Day 1 and helped Mumbai reach 237 for 4. The batting duo added 43 runs before Yash Dayal dismissed Rahane for 97 runs on Day 2. They added 141 racing. They represent the fifth wicket in the first innings of the match in Mumbai.
Watch: Sarfaraz Khan hits his 15th first-class century
Sarfaraz showed patience at the crease and reached his century in the 92nd over. It was his hundred and fifth in first-class cricket. The right-handed batsman removed his helmet after reaching the milestone of the match. The video of the batsman’s celebration has gone viral on social media platforms.
The national official name of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared Sarfaraz’s century video on X (formerly Twitter). “THAT moment when Sarfaraz Khan brought out his 💯👏 A brilliant hit so far 🙌,” the caption wrote.
Take a look at the celebrations of Mumbai’s middle-order batsman right here:
THAT moment when Sarfaraz Khan mentioned his 💯👏
A brilliant hit so far 🙌#IranianCup | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Follow the game ▶️ pic.twitter.com/nEEJW2kea9
— BCCI National (@BCCIdomestic) October 2, 2024
Sarfaraz Khan has been battling cramps
Sports journalist Amol Karhadkar claimed that Sarfaraz has been dealing with cramps. The publication added that the young cricketer has been struggling to score boundaries towards the right side due to four defenders posted on the boundary.
“He has been battling cramps. It is difficult for Sarfaraz Khan to breach the side ring, with four fielders at the boundary, employed by offspinner Saransh Jain. Sarfaraz, instead, chooses to employ reverse rowing and adds two more fours to his tally. “, wrote a sports journalist.
He’s been battling cramps. It is difficult for Sarfaraz Khan to breach the side ring, with four defenders on the boundary, employed by official Saransh Jain. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, opts for the reverse paddle and adds two more fours to his account #MUMvROI #IranianCup pic.twitter.com/kggbmT6WHI
– Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) October 2, 2024
Sarfaraz made his long-awaited Test debut earlier this year against England during a five-match home series. He scored 62 runs in his first innings and remained unbeaten on 68 in the second. For the next series against Bangladesh, the management preferred KL Rahul instead of Sarfaraz.
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