After a long wait, Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut. The 25-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. | Rajkot Test, Day 1 Updates |
India had two debutants for the Rajkot Test as wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel got his maiden Test cap from Dinesh Karthik in the huddle.
India won the toss and opted to bat, gaining an early advantage on what promises to be a very good batting pitch at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
There was a celebratory mood in the Indian camp as there were two debutants in Sarfaraz and Jurel while India dropped Axar Patel and KS Bharat.
After bursting on to the scene as a young batter for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL with some powerful cameos, it was in the domestic circuit and Ranji Trophy that the 26-year-old really made a name for himself.
His record for Mumbai speaks volumes about the talent possessed by Sarfaraz as he has been a consistent performer in the Ranji Trophy.
In 45 first-class matches, Sarfaraz has piled on 3912 runs at a staggering average of 69.85. He has scored 14 hundreds and 11 fifties during this time and also impressed for the India A side during their matches against the England Lions.
Sarfaraz scored a fifty in the first unofficial Test and followed it up with an impressive 161 in the second one as India A would eventually win the series 2-0.
Before the third match, however, Sarfaraz would be called up to the senior team after KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja had to pull out of the squad for the Vizag Test due to injury.
The 26-year-old was forced to wait as India decided to go with Rajat Patidar for the match. The absence of Virat Kohli and Rahul for the match in Rajkot would ultimately force the hand of the team management, who decided to give the Mumbai batter his chance and end the long wait.
