Sarfaraz Khan Bazballed his way to an incredible fifty off just 48 balls to cap off an emotional debut day in Rajkot on February 15.
Sarfaraz was given a proper welcome by Mark Wood, who had removed India skipper Rohit Sharma in the previous delivery. The young batter was given a good bouncer, which he ducked to start his international career.
With his family and fans in attendance, the Mumbai batter did take some time to get going but broke the shackles with a fine shot off Rehan Ahmed.
Soon after, the 26-year-old played a lofted shot off Root for another boundary as the fans and the dressing room was thrilled to see Sarfaraz get going in Rajkot. His third boundary was off Root and we saw the famed sweep shot by Sarfaraz. While the shot wasn’t convincing enough, the result was the desired one.
We would see more off the sweep in the coming overs, with Sarfaraz showing a special liking for the off-spin of Root and he played another aggressive shot to go past 20 runs.
The aggressive intent shown by Sarfaraz would impress Graeme Swann, who had seen the Mumbai batter play against the England Lions. Swann said that Sarfaraz was showing the same intent as he had done during the series, where he scored a magnificent 161 in the second unofficial Test. | Rajkot Test, Day 1 Updates |
The aggression would continue as Sarfaraz attacked Tom Hartley with an incredible backfoot pull and deposited the half-tracker to the boundary. The 26-year-old raced into the 40s with another fine shot off the bowling of Joe Root.
Sarfaraz hit his first six off Hartley and got a single in to reach his first fifty. This was the joint-fastest fifty by an Indian on debut as he went level with Hardik Pandya.
Sarfaraz Khan’s emotional start to Test cricket
After a long wait, Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut on day one of the third Test. The 26-year-old was handed his maiden Test cap by legendary Anil Kumble in the team huddle ahead of the 3rd Test between India and England in Rajkot on Thursday, February 15.
Sarfaraz Khan’s father, Naushad Khan, got emotional as the proud man was unable to control his tears. Naushad was at the Saurashtra Cricket Association in Rajkot on Thursday as he watched the cap presentation ceremony of his son from close quarters.
